France vs Honduras: What we can expect - Preview and Prediction
The strongest team in Group E, France will face the weakest team of the group today at the Estadio Beira Rio, Porto Alegre. France on paper are a much stronger are team and everybody will predict France’s vicotry. But Honduras will be no cake walk. They are a compact team with lot of energy and they have the potential to create an upset. We have already seen Costa Rica defeating Uruguay, so there is a possibility that we may witness a triumph of the underdog.
Venue
Estadio Beira-Rio is located in the city of Porto Alegre. The stadium was built in 1969 and has been refurbished for the World Cup. The new stadium has an overall capacity of 42,991. The venue is just 47m above sea-level, and thus, altitude should not be a big factor.
Kickoff Time
June 16 – 00.30 am – Indian Standard Time (IST)
June 15 – 4.00 pm – Local Time
Possible Starting Line ups
Didier Deschamps will not experiment with his squad. He is already missing the services of their most important player Franck Ribery after he was ruled out of the World Cup due to a back injury. He will most likely field Antoine Griezmann in the midfield
France (4-2-3-1): Lloris; Sagna, Koscielny, Sakho, Evra; Pogba, Matuidi; Valbuena, Cabaye, Griezmann; Benzema.
Honduras being the weakest team in the group on paper would face an uphill task against the strongest team in the first group match. Coach, Luis Suarez would opt for the best possible team against the mighty Bleus.
Honduras (4-4-2): Valladares; Beckeles, Bernandez, Figueroa, Izaguirre; Najar, Garrido, Palacios, Espinoza; Bengtson, Costly.
How they will line up
Key Facts/Stats
- Whenever Honduras have scored since the 2010 World Cup, they have not lost a single match. They have won 12 and drew 3.
- France have also not lost a single game when they have scored first since the last World Cup.
- Honduras’ keeper Noel Valladares has 121 caps for his country and is the most experienced player of this Honduras side.
- Honduras had a better qualifying run that their opponents. They beat Mexico by four points to gain the third spot in the CONCACAF standings, three points behind Costa Rica and seven behind USA.
- France came second in their group behind Spain and thus had to play two play-off games against Ukraine to qualify.
Key Battles
Paul Pogba vs Roger Espinoza
Pogba is the most important player in the France squad. He is like the engine of team who moves up and down constantly with great energy. This energetic midfielder will be countered by Huonduras’ central midfielder Roger Espinoza whose duties are similar to Pogba. If Pogba can be made ineffective, France’s attack will face a major blow.
Karim Benzema vs Maynor Figueroa
Karim Benzema will be the lone striker up front and France’s fate will depend on his goal scoring ability. If Benzema is given a little space, the Real Madrid striker will capitalise and score goals without any doubt. The opponent’s key defender, Maynor Figueroa, who plays for Premier League side Hull City will be in charge to keep an eye on Benzema.
Prediction
France being the strongest team in the group is expected to beat Honduras with ease. They have a strong unit and even though they will miss Ribery, they have a good enough team to win the game against Honduras.
Predicted Score-line: France 3-0 Honduras
Match Officials
On-field Referee: Sandro Ricci (Brazil)
Assistant Referee 1: Emerson De Carvalho (BRA)
Assistant Referee 2: Marcelo van Gasse (BRA)
Fourth official: Peter O Leary (NZL)