France team are seen as a waste of potential according the the football press. The technical staff are under heavy criticism as the main factor. Well, hard to disagree about lack of the coaching being the reason behind that but still the team recently produce some positiveness.

Republic of Ireland on the other hand look motivated and “believing” is the word coming from any fan’s mouth when asked about this match. Actually, they have their reasons to believe, their team is playing with their hearts out, fighting till the end and they have an opposing team with some potential problems.

French players are quite in a good mood considering the hard times they have been through. They sounded they want to give some answers to those criticisms on the pitch and fully motivated to turn things around.

According to the recent press statements, France team might show some extra attacking approach in this game with three offensive minded players in the up front which would be Henry and Anelka on the wings plus an attacking midfielder (probably Gourcuff) and a single striker (probably Gignac) companying. Their central defensive midfielders generally lack creativity but they add great balance and strength to the team and someone has to carry the heavy goods.

Republic of Ireland had some missings in the midfield position  such as Stephen Ireland, and that has to be mentioned because your squad quality will be effected from such missing if you don’t have too many options to replace.

The general opinion is this match’s being a close one with a draw highly possible, well, I am not so sure about that, especially after looking for the recent possible starting line-ups. In my opinion there is really too much class difference between these two squads and especially the midfield of Ireland will have hard times. That area will be the key for this game and an upper hand in this midfield will give France a big chance.

If to go for a result; my vote would go to France here, the value is on that but also the factor that this match’s being the first leg;  better to be cautious and better to add the draw possibility into consideration; So, I got a France double chance in hand.

Prediction
France | X2 Double Chance
Extras
Draw at HT | France at FT