SPAIN v FRANCE - MATCH PREVIEW
Andy Morgan

Spain - 1st, Group H

Group Statistics: W3 D0 L0 F8 A1 Pts9
Top Scorers: Fernando Torres, 3 (37.5% of Spain's goals)
Clean Sheets: 2
Failed to Score: 0
Best World Cup record: Fourth place, 1950
2002 World Cup Record: Quarter-final defeat to South Korea on penalties Overall World Cup statistics: World Cups 12, P48 W22 D11 L15 F79 A54 Interesting Stat: Yet to play their Second Round game, Spain have had the highest number of shots on goal after Germany (ninety-four) and England (sixty-eight). They have had sixty-seven.

France - 2nd Group G

Group Statistics: W1 D2 L0 F3 A1 Pts5
Top Scorers: Thierry Henry, 2 (66.7% of France's goals)
Clean Sheets: 2
Failed to Score: 1
Best World Cup record: Won once, 1998
2002 World Cup Record: Knocked out in group stage
Overall World Cup statistics: World Cups 12, P47 W24 D6 L17 F89 A62
Interesting Stat: France's Thierry Henry has been flagged offside six times so far. Only Emmanuel Adebayor (Togo), Fabrice Akwa (Angola), Pavel Nedved (Czech Republic) and Andriy Shevchenko (Ukraine) have been offside more.

Match Preview

Spain and France traditionally have a fierce rivallry and there will be no holds barred in Hanover in the final Second Round tie. This is a tie that pits two sides in vastly contrasting situations. It has all come together for Spain as the traditional political rivalries that have so often split previous Spanish teams have all been put to bed. This has largely been down to the Spanish manager, Luis Aragones' squad selection as the balance of players from Real Madrid and Barcelona are more balanced this time (four to three). With a smattering of players from other Spanish and European clubs, Aragones has picked a side that has created a team unity and cohesion that has been unseen in many a Spainish side of the past. And they look a better team for it.

France meanwhile are in a state of perpetual hangover. Limping abysmally out of World Cup 2002 dented their pride whilst an equally poor run in Portugal two years ago dented their confidence. Les Bleus only scraped through Group G this time, drawing against Switzerland and South Korea. Frustration is high in France and the supporters feel that their team have a lot to prove in Germany this time around. Their play so far has been fragmented and lacking in any real creativity. It has been a far cry from that which was witnessed in their own country eight years ago. Now they must beat their fierce rivals to regain some of their draining self-belief.

Spain are expected to make a significant number of changes from the side that beat Saudi Arabia by one goal in their final group game. Many of their first team players were rested for that one so expect Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas and Raul to return to the starting line-up. Both are big match players and will need to play on top-form to stop a dangerous French side from causing them damage.

Fabregas is expected to replace midfielder Marcos Senna and will be expected to try and beat a French defence that has only conceded one goal so far in this competition. As fans of the Premiership will know, Fabregas is an energetic and hard-working player with a keen eye for goal. He is yet to score in seven apperances for his country but is hoping to make a statement in this World Cup at the tender age of nineteen. The replacement of Senna may be seen as a positive step in Spain as there has been somewhat of a furore with respect to him being chosen in the national squad. This is because the Villareal player was born Brazilian and only gained Spanish citizenship in March. He only has five caps to his name and this has been a source of some controversy in the Madrid newspapers.

Raul is likely to replace Liverpool's Luis Garcia in a formation that will see him pushed slightly forward of Garcia's traditional midfield role. The Spanish may be relying on the Real Madrid striker's experience to help crack a strong and vastly experienced French defence. A national institution in Spain, his inclusion and Senna's absence will at least appease some sections of the Spanish media. It is hard to leave the twenty-eight year old out however, who is just two caps shy of his century. He has forty-four goals, is Spain's highest ever scorer, has Champions' League experience and has played against many of the French players for both his club and country. He has also retained his touch and pace and his performance is key to a Spanish success. It is hard lines on Garcia who with three goals in a mere twelve Spanish appearances has done nothing to warrant his being dropped.

However with a squad as deep and as talented as the one the Spanish have then often great players will never get a chance. In essence, with Raul being more of a marksman as opposed to Garcia, Spain see goals rather than link-up play as being the major tactic in winning this tie.

The news is positive for the French team with Lyon defender Eric Abidal and Zinedine Zidane both back in contention following suspensions. Their absence was not much of a problem against a battling yet weak Togo side so it is hard to judge what affect their inclusion will have against Spain. Zinedine Zidane wrote his name into French folklore back in 1998 and is seen as a talisman on and off the pitch for the French.

The fact that he returned to French action after calling his retirement after Euro 2004 he is seen as even more patriotic to the French cause. He was reinstated as captain and his creativenesss and goals have added another dimension to a French team that was significantly lacking in qualifying. They cannot rely on him forever and you can tell that time is starting to catch up with him. He played agaonst Switzerland and South Korea and although involved he was not as creative as he once was, mustering only three shots on target in those two games. With 104 caps however he does inspire confidence in a beleagured French team and that alone is worth something.

Eric Abidal is a naturally left sided player and is expected to slot back into the defence. However he is more of a left winger than a defender and has a penchant for attacking, which may leave William Gallas exposed. His physical presence does add strength to the French back-line and he did start in the previous two games before his suspension. Another answer may be Manchester United's Mikael Silvestre with the versatile Gallas moving into the left-back berth. These options however are a positive sign for Domenech.

The other major decision is whether Domenech will play Thierry Henry up front as a lone striker or whether he will introduce David Trezeguet as a strike-partner. With only three goals in three games, the prolific French attack of 98 looks a distant memory as France have been struggling to find goals. A 4-4-2 formation failed to work against both Switzerland and South Korea as Wiltord and Henry were largely impotent in attack. Against Togo the Henry-Trezeguet partnership was tried, resulting in two goals, one of which was for Henry.

The link-up play was better and it may be worth Domenech trying this system against a solid Spanish defence. Either way he needs to try and get the most out of Henry, who has still yet to prove himself on the international stage. It is amazing that with two goals already that people are on Henry's back to prove himself but such are the high standards he has set himself at Arsenal that people have been disappointed with his international form. Thirty-five goals in eighty-one is still a good strike-rate although Trezeguet's is better. Reforming that partnership may be the best French option.

Spain have never lost under Aragones, a span that takes in twenty-five matches. If they are to lose here then France will have to take their performance up a gear or two and this seems unlikely judging by the spirit in the French camp. It all hinges on the performance of the two defences, as Domenech is aware. If his defence cannot stand firm then, despite Henry, they just don't seem to have the firepower in their side to rectify it. Expect France therefore to play for a tight 1-0 win. Aragones meanwhile is convinced that his side will beat France, stating that they are the best they have ever been. Although pride comes before a fall, it is hard to see him falling at this moment.

Spain are 5/4 to beat France in ninety minutes with Total Bet.. A £20 bet wins you £45 (inc stake back) and you get £25 in free bets as well...

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