http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/France-c2899 take on Belarus in their second match of the World Cup qualifying campaign, with Les Bleus hoping to avenge their 1-0 home loss, they suffered against the same opposition last time around.
France
Didier Deschamps’ side managed to nick all three points against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Finland-c2898 last week, thanks to a well taken goal by Abou Diaby.
However, the men in blue will play their first game of the campaign at home, with Stade de France set to host the much anticipated game.
Les Bleus were less than convincing in their previous match and they didn’t attack the opposing team as much as they would have liked. That is the area Deschamps would want much improvement from his side this time around.
Belarus
Belarus started their campaign in a worst possible manner. Georgy Kondratiev’s men lost their opening game 1-0 against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Georgia-c2903.
With the kind of form they are in, expect Belarus to sit back and defend against the men in blue. Coach, Kondratiev would be happy with a draw against a team like France, but expect them to offer stern resistance to Didier Deschamps’ side.
2012 Form
France Played 9 Won 6 Draw 1 Lost 2 Goals Scored 15 Goals Conceded 7
Belarus Played 4 Won 1 Draw 2 Lost 1 Goals Scored 3 Goals Conceded 3
Head to head
Games played 2
France 0
Draws 1
Belarus Wins 1
Team news
France
France’s coach, Didier Deschamps, would be hoping to have http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Arsenal-c38429 man scored in Friday's 1-0 win over Finland.
Olivier Giroud is expected to be fit for the match after missing the last game because of a minor knock. However, Manchester City’s Gael Clichy did not train on Sunday and is expected to miss the match, with http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Patrice-Evra-c29231 set to continue at the left-back
position.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Adil-Rami-c3639 has been declared fit and could start the match at the heart of the defence for Les Bleus.
Belarus
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Renan-Bressan-c30813 of BATE Borisov back in the squad, after the player gave Kondratiev a major scare, when he limped out of a training session on Sunday.
Players to watch
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Karim-Benzema-c20350 – France
The Real Madrid striker once again failed to find the back of the net against Finland last week and is under massive pressure to deliver this time around. However, Deschamps is confident that the 24-year-old will soon hit top gear and is expected to be selected
ahead of Olivier Giroud once more.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Yohan-Cabaye-c37423 – France
The talented midfielder starred for Les Bleus at Euro 2012, and he is expected be a key figure for Didier Deschamps’ side for years to come. The Newcastle United midfielder will play in more attacking midfield position and has the ability to score a goal
or two.
Renan Bressan – Belarus
Labelled as the visitors' key player, the 23-year-old attacking midfielder will cause Les Bleus some trouble. The player is new at the international arena but is highly gifted and Belarus’ coach rates him in high regards.
Expected line-up
Lloris, Jallet, Sakho, Yanga-Mbiwa, Evra, Diaby, Cabaye, Mavuba, Menez, Ribery, Benzema
Veremko, Zhavnerchik, Polyakov, Verk'tsov, Mar'vich, Putsila, Kislyak, Nekhaychik, Kulchiy, Bressan, Kornilenko
Prediction
France would want all three points against a team which is struggling at the moment. Belarus are expected to play for a draw, but with the kind of player Didier Deschamps has at his disposal, expect Les Bleus to register a win at Stade de France.
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