World Cup 2010 Preview: France Vs Uruguay Las Vegas Odds & Pick

France is one of the teams favored to make the round of eight in the World Cup while Uruguay is expected to bow out in first round. Uruguay gets no favors opening up the World Cup with a match against a tough to beat team in France.

The good news for Uruguay is that France is entering the World Cup in South Africa stumbling through their last few friendly matches. Losing to China just as they head to South Africa was the latest in a string of disappointing finishes for the French. Uruguay enters the World Cup on a roll beating out some talented squads as they prepared for their first round match with France.

Coaching philosophy and experience of the two coaches.
French coach Raymond Domenech has been under fire for a while now as the leader of the France World Cup team that many feel has the talent to perform much better than they have. Raymond Domenech's lack of popularity in his home country stems from his unusual methods which include astrology.

Oscar Tabarez has held the reins off and on of Uruguay's World Cup team since 1988, Tabarez has the edge in World Cup and International experience. Tabarez strong suit is also his detriment. He likes to change strategy on the fly and sometimes does so to the point of confusing his players.

Striker match ups will be a major factor in this match.
Having a striker that can fire it up from anywhere is a huge advantage. Both teams have a strong striker that could make the difference in this first round World Cup match. Thierry Henry will be one of the players France will be relying on to give them some scoring pop early in this match. Henry is a firecracker on the field that can take the winning shot or set up a teammate with a beautiful pass just as easily. France will go as Henry goes.

Diego Forlan of Uruguay is a strong forward that could be entering the World Cup on fire. Forlan went out in his last two friendlies before World Cup competition and scored in both matches. Forlan is a hammer down player that can change a match with a driving run on the goal.

The team with the best goalkeeper should take home the win.
Goalkeepers in the World Cup are the most important players when it comes to the World Cup. Juan Castillo is a strong goalkeeper and he will need to live up to his nickname Muralla which translated means City of Walls. In Castillo's last two games he only allowed two goals and performed excellent in goal.

Although Hugo Lloris has not been on the pitch for the most recent friendlies he should be in goal in the first round of the World Cup. Lloris has cat like reflexes to the ball and tremendous instincts that will keep France in their match. Many analysts are not worried about France's struggles entering the World Cup since Lloris is a leader on the pitch and without him France is not the same team.

Final breakdown France -105 vs Uruguay +300.
France has struggled coming into this opening match but getting a team the quality of France at -105 is a price to nice to pass on. France may struggle in the first half but their pedigree will kick in and they should be able to prevail over Uruguay as the match extends past the 75 minute mark. Take France -105 to win.

sources:
www.espn.go.com World Cup profiles.