Uruguay v France preview, predictions, odds free bets (International Friendly - June 6,2013)

France travel to Montevideo to face Uruguay in a most anticipated international friendly. The French side is looking to bounce back after defeat to Spain in their qualifying match in their campaign for the World Cup in 2014 while Uruguay is warming up for the Confederations Cup. Find here our complete Uruguay v France betting preview, tips, odds, probable lineups, free bets and betting predictions.

URUGUAY v FRANCE: BETTING PREVIEW

Uruguay are currently going through a terrible run of form. Oscar Tabarez’s men have only won once in their last nine matches, losing 2-0 to Chile in their last World Cup qualification match. in the past 18 months they have played 15 times, winning only three of those matches, drawing six and losing six. In their recent friendlies they shared spoils with Russia and France away before beating Poland, although they did lose their last friendly match to Spain.

Luis Suarez and Egidio Arevalo Rios are suspended for the upcoming Venezuela clash, but they are expected to feature this match against France.  Nicolás Lodeiro could also come into midfield having netted a brace during Botafogo's 2-1 win over Cruzeiro at the weekend. Having scored just twice in three games this year, the pressure will be on the likely attacking trio of Gastón Ramírez, Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez to find a way past the France defence.

France come into this match with four wins in their last eight matches. Deschamps men sit in second place in their World Cup qualifying group, trailing leaders Spain by one point. Les Bleus have won their last five away friendly matches, including victories against Italy, Germany and England.

France don’t have any competitive games to play this summer. They will play Brazil in a friendly next weekend before taking their vacations. Hence, Didier Deschamps has selected a young squad with only one member over the age of 30 and the average age just 25 and four players who could earn their first cap however the experience of Benzema, Sagna and Hugo Lloris will still be on the tour.

With an inexperienced squad named, it's evident that France head coach Didier Deschamps is keen for a number of potential stars to garner international experience. Alexandre Lacazette, Clement Grenier, Eliaquim Mangala and Joshua Guilavogui are all set to earn their first caps (but only Mangala will play in the starting XI) with Yoann Gourcuff also returning into international fold after a lengthy absence.

These two teams played each other in a similar friendly game last year, and it ended in a boring 0-0 draw. Actually, the last four meetings between the two teams have ended goalless, so expect a low scoring affair.

URUGUAY v FRANCE: PROBABLE LINEUPS

Uruguay (4-3-1-2): Muslera – M. Pereira, Godin, Lugano, A. Pereira – Gonzalez, Gargano, Ramirez – Lodeiro – Suarez, Cavani.
France (4-2-3-1): Mandanda – Sagna, Kocielny, Mangala, Tremoulinas – Capoue, Matuidi – Payet, Valbuena, Gourcuff – Giroud.

URUGUAY v FRANCE: TEAM FORM

Uruguay

Mar 26, 2013    Chile 2 - Uruguay 0    WCQ
Mar 22, 2013    Uruguay 1 - Paraguay 1    WCQ
Feb 6, 2013    Spain 3 - Uruguay 1    FR
Nov 14, 2012    Poland 1 - Uruguay 3    FR
Oct 16, 2012    Bolivia 4 - Uruguay 1    WCQ

France 

Mar 26, 2013    France 0 - Spain 1    WCQ
Mar 22, 2013    France 3 - Georgia 1    WCQ
Feb 6, 2013    France 1 - Germany 2    FR
Nov 14, 2012

URUGUAY v FRANCE: MATCH PREDICTIONS

The Draw @ 3.25
1:1 Correct Score @ 6.50
Under 2,5 goals @ 1.37
Draw/Draw HT/FT @ 5.00

Japan 1st team to qualify for 2014 World Cup

SAITAMA, Japan (AP) -- Japan became the first team to qualify for the 2014 World Cup, tying Australia 1-1 Tuesday night on Keisuke Honda's penalty kick in the first minute of second-half stoppage time.

Tommy Oar put Australia ahead in the 82nd minute. But Matthew McKay's hand ball set up the penalty kick for Honda, who beat goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer with a left-footed shot to the top corner.

One year and eight days before the tournament opener in Sao Paulo, Japan qualified for its fifth straight World Cup and joined host Brazil in the 32-nation field.

Japan (4-1-2) has 14 points and leads Group B in the final round of Asian qualifying. Australia (1-1-4) is second with seven points and is ahead of Jordan (2-3-1) on goal difference. Oman (1-2-3) has six points, one ahead of Iraq (1-2-2) going into their game in Muscat later Tuesday.

The top two teams in each group qualify, and the third-place teams advance to a playoff.

Both teams had great scoring chances in the first half, but Schwarzer got his right hand up to block Shinji Kagawa's shot from close range. Brett Holman fed a through ball to Robbie Kruse, who fired a right-footed shot that Japan goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima knocked down with an outstretched arm.