FRANCE v SWITZERLAND - MATCH PREVIEW I

Not in over ten years has there been so little excitement concerning the French national side, both in France and in the football community in general. Many have written off Les Bleus, with odds as long as 14/1 for them to win the tournament almost unprecedented for a team that so easily swept the world away as little as eight years ago.

In fact it was only six years ago that they so convincingly won Euro 2000 and many of the players who played then are still in the squad now. The likes of Trezeguet, Henry, Zidane, Vieira, Thuram and Gallas provide a world-class pedigree to the spine of the side. And with the majority of their players playing for the top European sides, their experience of the big stage, both domestically and internationally is unprecedented.

France have arguably the most accommodating group of the World Cup. With Togo and South Korea to play, you would expect that the result of this game will be the one that will decide who will finish top of the group. France are clear favourites going into it and with memories of their opening day humiliation of World Cup 2002 against Senegal still fresh in the mind, the French players will be looking to avenge that defeat.

However the Swiss are a very tricky side to beat, as an opening 1-1 draw with England in Euro 96 demonstrated. Any team that can face the hostile reception of Turkey and win over two legs will be difficult to beat and although this is the first time the Swiss have qualified for the World Cup since 1994, they will be buoyed by the fact that they drew with France both home and away in their qualifying games. However the French triumphed in Euro 2004 3-1 against the Swiss. 23/10 on the draw is a strong price. If you fancy a French win, 3-0 or 3-1 at 11/1 are probably the best deals you can get here. If you believe that history will repeat itself and the underdogs will obtain a 1-0 win then you can get this for 8/1.

Of the players, Stade Rennes striker Alexander Frei has a point to prove against the nation in which he plays. With twenty three goals in forty two games the Swiss frontman is certainly prolific and is a good bet to score first with VC Bet. Experienced midfielder Daniel Gygax of Lille will also be relishing this clash and will aim to get forward to add to the four goals he has scored internationally. Defenders Patrick Muller and Stephane Grichting also ply their trade in France.

Despite scoring no goals in the last World Cup and meekly dropping out at the first hurdle, discount Thierry Henry, David Trezeguet and Silvan Wiltord at your peril. With a combined eighty-seven goals they are capable of damaging anyone. However the player to watch is Florent Malouda of Lyon. The creative midfielder has pulled the strings for the French club and is set to make a name for himself on the World Stage in Germany. Back him to score sometime today.

And with Victor Chandler's offer of £60 worth of free bets when you open a new account with them, that bet will be worth even more value for money. So if you fancy Frei, Henry or even Fabien Barthez to score then there has never been a better time to place a bet.

Match Result
France 4/6
Draw 23/10
Away 9/2

Correct Score
France 1-0 5/1
France 2-0 11/2
France 2-1 7/1
France 3-0 11/1
France 3-1 11/1
Draw 0-0 6/1
Draw 1-1 5/1
Switzerland 1-0 8/1
Switzerland 2-0 20/1
Switzerland 2-1 16/1

First Goalscorer
France
Thierry Henry 7/2
David Trezeguet 9/2
Louis Saha 5/1
Zinedine Zidane 6/1
Florent Malouda 12/1
Patrick Vieira 20/1
Pascal Chimbonda 40/1
Switzerland
Alexander Frei 8/1
Mauro Lustrinelli 11/1
Marco Streller 11/1
Hakan Yakin 12/1
Daniel Gygax 14/1

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