France is favored in World Cup betting in their opening match on Friday against Uruguay.
France is -110 in World Cup odds on the three-way soccer line with Uruguay at +300 and the Draw at +220. The total on the match is 2 under. This match will share the spotlight on Friday since South Africa opens up the 2010 World Cup by hosting Mexico.
World Cup betting on France list them as the favorite to win Group A and this opening match against Uruguay will be an important one for both squads. France is the high profile team but they really haven’t played well recently. Their last friendly was an uninspiring 1-0 shutout loss to China a week ago. France wasn’t much better in a friendly against Tunisia as they played to a 1-1 draw. Scoring only one goal in two friendlies against China and Tunisia is not the way to be entering a World Cup.
France just barely qualified for the World Cup at all as they needed a missed call in their match against Ireland just to make it. They did win the World Cup back in 1998 but that was on their home soil while last year they lost in the title match to Italy in a penalty shootout. This year’s France team does have some big names and some talent but they are definitely not at the level of last year’s squad. The World Cup will be the last one for head coach Raymond Domenech who will leave after the tournament. The key for France in this opening match against Uruguay could be the health of defender William Gallas who has a calf injury. He has not played since March and may not be ready for the opener.
Uruguay is probably not getting the respect in this match that they deserve in World Cup betting. They are ranked in the Top 20 in the world and they are one of only five teams that have won multiple World Cups. Uruguay struggled in qualifying but won when they had to against Costa Rica. Uruguay can score goals as they have Diego Forlan, Luis Suarez and Sebastian Abreu. Uruguay definitely has the ability to beat an overrated France team in this opening match from Group A in World Cup odds.