Photo: Shaqiri and Benzema (Getty Images)
After recording contrasting victories in their opening fixtures at the World Cup, France and Switzerland can take charge of Group E with victory in this game. The Swiss had to come from behind to get victory over a hard-working Ecuador team while France made kight work of Honduras.
Unlike the past La Nati teams, this generation of Swiss players likes to attack and has guile and pace in their play. It is a very young team with some exciting players with a few experienced heads among them. They showed great courage and character to come from behind to grab all three points with the last kick of the game against Ecuador.
Les Bleus on the other hand has a very stong team which is also quite young and inexperienced. Didier Deschamps has formed a very disciplined and a well drilled team tactically with players that are capable of the spectacular on their day. They seem to be a very fit and professional unit as they worked extrememly hard for each other with every player showing signs of hunger and desire in the game against Honduras.
Deschamps may tinker a little with his team with skipper Hugo Lloris in goal behind the defensive pair of Mamadou Sakho and Raphael Varane. Patrice Evra will take his usual place at left back but Bacary Sagna could see some action taking the place of Mathieu Debuchy at right back.
Rising star Paul Pogba sould partner Blaise Matuidi and Yohan Cabaye in central midfield while Karim Benzema, Mathieu Valbuena and Antoine Griezmann should provide the attacking threat.
Ottmar Hitzfeld should keep Diego Benaglio in goal however Fabian Scar could take the place of Johan Djourou in central defense partnering Steve von Bergen. Ricardo Rodriguez provided the two assists in the opening fixture will retain his place at keft back with the energetic Stephan Lichtsteiner on the other side.
Gokhan Inler will partner Valon Behrami in central midfield with Xherdan Shaqiri, Valentin Stocker and Josip Drmic leading the attack.
This is expected to be a cagey encounter with both teams reluctant to take any serious risk. It could be decided by a mistake or by a moment of magic from one of the talented players on display. The neutrals will be hoping for another exciting game with lots of goals but with both teams tipped to advance to the knock-out stages they could settle for a draw.
Players to Watch
France: Karim Benzema, Paul Pogba, Mathieu Valbuena
Switzerland: Xherdan Shaqiri, Gokhan Inler, Ricardo Rodriguez
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