France vs Poland
Beware the world champions when they are angry; be very beware.
On Wednesday, France lost to Tunisia in a contest in which, with qualification for the knockout stages of World Cup 2022 already assured, they rested many of their top stars.
However, their 1-0 World Cup reverse still irritated Les Bleus.
So much so that, despite topping the group, they intend to lodge an official complaint with FIFA after a late Antoine Greizmann equaliser was ruled out.
With leading players like Griezmann refreshed and with a point to prove, opponents Poland will have it all to do in this last 16-tie on Sunday afternoon.
Talking Points
A number of their World Cup highlights so far have involved the heir to the throne as possibly the next number one footballer in the world.
Kylian Mbappe joined the great Pele as the only player to score seven World Cup goals before turning 25 when he netted a brace against Denmark.
He also became just the second France player to score in three successive World Cup games after Just Fontaine in 1958 (run of six).
Many eyes will also be on Olivier Giroud who needs just one goal to become his country’s all-time leading scorer and move clear of Thierry Henry.
On saying that, Mbappe is revelling in the spotlight so much he already has 31 international goals and is rapidly closing in on Giroud and Henry’s mark of 51.
Poland will be extremely wary of his talent as they look to their own star man, Robert Lewandowski, to fire them to glory.
He was kept quiet by Argentina as the Poles sneaked through to the last 16 on Wednesday night.
Indeed, the Barcelona man cut a lonely figure in attack as his team clung on for dear life and he received little to no service.
It was symbolic of a lacklustre Poland performance that their greatest show of passion all night came after the game had finished when they punched the air as news of Saudi Arabia’s goal against Mexico that confirmed their place in the last 16 filtered down on to the pitch.
A much improved showing will be required if they are to cause one of the shocks of recent years in the Al Thumama Stadium.
A point worthy of note though, if there is stalemate after 120 minutes and the contest goes to a penalty shoot-out, Wojciech Szczęsny has already saved two spot-kicks in three matches.
History
Poland have only beaten France on three occasions, the most recent was 40 years ago, in 1982, when they defeated them twice in as many months.
The first sealed third place in the third/fourth place play-off at that year’s World Cup in Spain when Andrzej Szarmach, Stefan Majewski and Janusz Kupcewicz scored three times in five minutes in a 3-2 success. It remains their only meeting in a major tournament.
That came just days after one of the biggest scandals in World Cup history when France were knocked out by Germany in a controversial semi-final.
A friendly the following month saw Kupcewicz score twice more as they thrashed France 4-0 in a friendly in Paris.
Since then, there have been seven meetings with three French victories and four draws.
The most recent was a 2011 friendly when an own goal settled the contest in Gdansk.
The two nations met twice in qualifying for Euro 96 and both games ended all square; goalless in Poland and then 1-1 in France when Andrzej Juskowiak put the Poles in front before Youri Djorkaeff levelled.
Overall, France have tasted victory in this fixture eight times with a further five draws.
Betting Tip
The SBOTOP World Cup betting odds are France all the way.
Among the odds for Les Bleus are 1X2 @ 1.28, Asian Handicap -1.50 @ 1.94 and 2.00 @ 2.75.
Poland are priced 1X2 @ 10.00, Asian Handicap +1.50 @ 1.99 and +1.25 @ 2.33.
The draw is on offer @ 5.40.
A repeat of their last meeting 11 years ago – Correct Score France 1-0 Poland – will pay off @ 5.20.
One bet that caught my eye is Half Time Full Time Draw Home @ 3.70.
There is no doubt Poland will likely spend much of the game defending so, with regards to goals, I think there will be a few but not too many.
While looking at over 3.00 goals @ 2.44, Total Goals 0-1 @ 3.50, 2-3 @ 1.96 and 4-6 @ 3.20, I have decided to plump for First Half Asian Handicap France -0.75 @ 2.31 as my ** prediction.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT))
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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