The first leg of the
play-offs for the
FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa brings on Saturday the top game between the
Republic of Ireland and
France. The Republic of Ireland finished their Group 8 on rank 2 behind World Champion Italy, while France qualified for the UEFA play-offs as second of Group 7 behind Serbia.
The team of national coach Giovanni Trapattoni is just one step away from reaching the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa, but their opponent in the play-offs is perhaps the heaviest possible rival. The Republic of Ireland faces on France. In the 10 group games Trapattoni´s side remained unbeaten (4 wins, 6 draws) and finished their Group 8 as second behind Italy. The two games against the Squadra Azzurra ended 1-1 (away) and 2-2 at home. Keeper Shay Given received in the 10 qualification games only 8 goals. Best scorer for the Ireland team was Robbie Keane with 5 goals. So the Tottenham-forward Keane and ManCity-keeper Given will become against France probably the most important players in Trapattoni´s team.
The FIFA World Cup 2006 runner-up France started with a 1-3 defeat against Austria in the WC 2010 qualifier. Also their following performance in the qualification for the tournament in South Africa was moderate. The Les Bleus won the away game at the Faroe Islands only with 1-0, also the two games against Lithuania ended with 1-0 wins. So France finished their Group 7 as second behind Serbia, but they qualified with it for the UEFA play-offs. In these play-off games coach Raymond Domenech will have to pass on the injured keyplayer Frank Ribéry (patellar luxation), who scored 3 goals in the running World Cup qualifier. Four goals for the French team scored Andre-Pierre Gignac and Thierry Henry.
The Republic of Ireland and France met 14-times. Ireland won 4 fixtures, France won 6 and four games ended with a draw.
Republic of Ireland vs France
World Cup Qualification, Play-offs UEFA zone
Saturday, 14.11.2009, 9:00 pm CET
Dublin, Croke Park
My tip: I guess that the Republic of Ireland can especially surprise in the home game and bet on a home win for Trapattoni´s team.
The best odd for tip 1 you find at Bet365 with 3.10
