France PK @ -175 (1 Unit)

Rankings: France #9 / Mexico #17

Last 6 games:
France: 0.5 GF / 1.0 GA
Mexico: 1.83 GF / 1.33 GA

No one is denying that France has been struggling in finding the back of the net lately. The team has quality players but no dynamic finishers. Mexico also has had trouble scoring goals. Will one of these teams break through today or is it going to be another snoozer?

We all saw what Uruguay did to South Africa yesterday. Well, when Uruguay played France they were held to 7 shots, 43% possession, ZERO corner kicks, and 1 red card. France controlled the game for the most part, albeit without too much pressure in the final third. Mexico plays a 4-3-3 attacking style, making it susceptible to counter attacks. That was evident during the match against the South Africans, when the 'home team' scored 1 and what should have been a 2nd goal (hit the post) on counter attacks. Mexican coach is not planning on changing his formation and this will prove costly.

All in all, both these teams are fairly equally matched and both are having trouble finishing their attacks. This being the 2nd game, and knowing that Uruguay is sitting pretty with a decisive win over RSA, both teams will open the game up today. I expect there to be chances for both sides. That being said, the real reason for making this play is the quality of the goalkeepers for each team.

Mexican keeper, Oscar Perez, is 36 years old who has played in a Mexican league all of his career. He was ready to retire earlier last year, but was asked by the coach to come back to the national team. He looked horrible in the game against RSA. Undecisive and very vulnerable in the back. Honestly, it was like watching an amateur player in goal. Hugo Lloris, french keeper, is ranked as the 6th best keeper in the European soccer leagues (top leagues in the world) by Castrol rankings. To put it in perspective he is ranked higher than Julio Cezar and Petr Cech, both considered as top goal keepers in the world. Lloris played on Lyon last year, and was crucial in helping the team make a very deep Champions League run and a 2nd place finish in French Ligue 1. With more pressure to score and win the game, I expect France to press hard today, and the play of Perez will be the difference as the 'french fries' win this game 1-0 or 2-0.