Live on ESPN: Sat 20.00: France can step their Euro 2012 campaign into another gear by beating the Romanians at Stade de France.
France’s World Cup campaign can accurately be described as a disaster and their Euro 2012 qualifying bid started in a similar vein as they suffered a shock home defeat at the hands of Belarus. However, Laurent Blanc’s men steadied the ship just days, securing a respectable 2-0 triumph in a tricky away clash at Bosnia and they look set to follow that up with a victory at home to Romania.
Les Bleus are 4/6 with Betdaq to see off an unconvincing Tricolorii, who have drawn both of their games, against Albania and Belarus respectively and they failed to get on the scoresheet in Minsk; something that could also happen in the Stade de France, where the hosts are a generous 7/5 (Paddy Power) to prevail without conceding.
At the other end, Florent Malouda has been in tremendous form for his club, bagging six goals in Chelsea’s opening seven matches and the winger was also on target for France in Bosnia. He’s a man to watch in Paris then and bet365 quote him at a generous 11/4 to find the net at any stage.
In the day’s other clash, Israel and Croatia face off in the Kiryat Eliezer Stadium. Both sides have taken four points from their opening two matches but it’s Croatia that should have the quality to land a maximum haul; a result William Hill offer at 6/4.
Nevertheless, a close encounter looks inevitable and the visitors may therefore have to ‘settle’ for a victory by a one-goal margin, at 3/1 with bet365.
Recommended Bets:
France to beat Romania ‘to nil’ – 7/5 (Paddy Power)
Croatia to beat Israel – 6/4 (William Hill)
Compare all Euro 2012 qualifying odds and bet at the best price.