Venue: Polokwane, South Africa
In the fourth Group A game of the tournament on June the 17th, former champions and 2006 finalists France take on Mexico in Polokwane. The match kicks off at 20:30 local time.
With France the favourites to win this group they are also, as you might expect, the favourites to win this game. Most bookmakers are offering evens at best for this outcome, including 888sport and bwin.
Mexico are still a pretty good team though, and this is a game where there is a chance for an upset. France did not do well in qualifying, whereas Mexico have shown some great moments, including in their friendly against England where many felt they deserved more than they got. A win for Mexico is a reasonably good bet for these reasons, and you are looking at 3/1 if you place your bet with either Bodog or Sportsbook (US Friendly). The draw is 95/40 from Bodog.
The draw there may also be a good bet, because if you look at the correct score market, a 1-1 draw is joint favourites with a 1-0 win for France, both at 11/2 their best prices, from bet365 and Paddy Power. For Mexico to win 1-0 you are looking at 8/1 with Bodog or BetUS – this is a pretty good price.
For first goal scorer, you can take either of the favourites, Gignac or Anelka, at 19/4 from Victor Chandler, or Henry is at 11/2 along with Briand. Hernandez is 7/1.
Prediction
I think it is entirely possible for a below par France to slip up here, and so the prediction, whilst possibly a little controversial, is a 1-0 win to Mexico. This would scoop you 8/1 with Bodog if it comes in.
