France v Honduras World Cup prediction and betting tips 1X2

Match	Date	Selection	Bet	Odds	Bet now
France v Honduras World Cup prediction and betting tips 1X2 World Cup 2014, International	15/06/2014 21:00	full time result	France	1.36	Bet at Paddy Power
Betting prediction was written by Colin

FRANCE V HONDURAS : PREDICTIONS AND BETTING TIPS

France qualified for the Finals through the play-offs with a 3-2 aggregate defeat of Ukraine, when they did well to recover from a 2-0 away leg defeat. They had finished second to Spain in their group with a (5-2-1) record. Honduras finished third in the CONCACAF section behind USA and Costa Rica, and qualified automatically with a (4-3-3) record at the expense of Mexico who needed to go into a play-off.

THE FRANCE SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris (Tottenham Hotspur), Stephane Ruffier (Marseille), Mickael Landreau (Bastia).Defenders: Mathieu Debuchy (Newcastle), Lucas Digne (Paris St-Germain) Patrice Evra (Manchester United), Laurent Koscielny, Bacary Sagna (both Arsenal), Eliaquim Mangala (Porto), Mamadou Sakho (Liverpool), Raphael Varane (Real Madrid).Midfielders: Yohan Cabaye, Blaise Matuidi (both Paris St-Germain), Rio Mavuba (Lille), Paul Pogba (Juventus), Morgan Schneiderlin (Southampton), Moussa Sissoko (Newcastle), Mathieu Valbuena (Marseille).Forwards: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Remy Cabella (Montpellier), Olivier Giroud (Arsenal), Antoine Griezmann (Real Sociedad), Loic Remy (Newastle, on loan from QPR).

The late withdrawal of Franck Ribery was a major blow for France, and midfielder Clement Gremier has also had to pull out. Eric Abidal and Samir Nasri were not selected after hints that they were trouble causers, but following the loss of Ribery especially Nasri's playing ability will be missed. That said there is still plenty of talent with Paul Pogba tipped to be the midfield dynamo, and Benzema and Giroud give a strong forward choice. Defence is more of a worry though as it doesnt look the best to me, even though Lloris is a class keeper for them.

THE HONDURAS SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Noel Valladares, Donis Escober (both Olimpia), Luis Lopez (Real Espana). Defenders: Brayan Beckeles (Olimpia), Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic), Juan Carlos Garcia (Wigan), Maynor Figueroa (Hull), Victor Bernardez (San Jose Earthquakes), Osman Chavez (Qingdao Janoon), Juan Pablo Montes (Motagua). Midfielders: Arnold Peralta (Rangers), Luis Garrido (Olimpia), Roger Espinoza (Wigan), Jorge Claros (Motagua), Wilson Palacios (Stoke), Oscar Garcia (Houston Dynamo), Andy Najar (Anderlecht), Mario Martinez (Real Espana), Marvin Chavez (Colorado Rapids). Forwards: Jerry Bengtson (New England Revolution), Jerry Palacios (Alajuelense), Carlo Costly (Real Espana), Rony Martinez (Real Sociedad).

WARM UP GAMES

France have looked pretty impressive in their warm ups, starting with a 4-0 thrashing of Norway, where Giroud took his opportunity with Benzema rested, scoring twice. A less impressive 1-1 draw with Paraguay followed, but France dominated and fell to a late sucker punch. They rounded things off with an 8-0 win over the hapless Jamaica, with Giroud, Benzema and Griezmann all on target for the French. Formations indicate a 4-3-3 set up could be adopted, especially against Honduras with Giroud, Benzema and Griezmann up top the likely option.

Honduras had three warm up games losing two and getting a decent draw with England in Miami in the other. First up it was a 2-0 loss to Turkey, and their limitations were there for all to see. They followed it up with an equally unimpressive 4-2 loss to Israel, but at least performed creditably against England. In this game they adopted a very physical approach for a friendly game which annoyed the England team, and led to them finishing the game with ten men. They will likely adopt a similar approach against the French, trying to frustrate and feed off any scraps.

BETTING ANALYSIS

Looking at the squads France obviously have a far superior pool of talent, and there seems to be a harmony around the camp which can only bode well for the tournament. France will expect to qualify from this group as winners, and anything but a winning start against Honduras would be a major shock. Possibly the weakest side in Brazil, Honduras will do well to get a point in their three group games despite their undoubted effort, and they will do well to live with France in this one. A very convincing French win is expected.

FRANCE V HONDURAS: 1X2 BETTING TIPS

A France win can now be backed at 1.36(4/11)PaddyPower and this really is a short priced banker. France despite some key losses to the squad still have an abundance of talent to call upon, and should brush aside a Honduras side who you be hard pressed to name a truelly decent player amongst them. Mix this 1.36 tip up with other games to provide a bigger priced accumulator bet or lump on with a single on France winning this. They wont let us down.......!!!

Take France at 1.36 with Paddy Power