World Cup 2018: France vs Peru prediction, odds, line-ups and preview as Didier Deschamps’ star-studded side look to book spot in the knockout stages
French struggled to hit top gear in opening match but can seal passage into last 16 with a win, while South Americans know they need to sharpen up in front of goal
FRANCE won their first game of the tournament but even boss Didier Deschamps admits Les Blues were way below par.
With a galaxy of stars in his ranks the 1998 World Cup winners will demand Paul Pogba, Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann turn it on against the South American minnows.
Peru’s honest boss Ricardo Gareca will be delighted to see his team - boasting the best kit in the tournament - contain their illustrious opponents because he admits they will be outclassed in every department.
French fans will expect their side to whip Peru and send a statement of intent. Hopefully, Griezmann will also show that he's not just a whinger after that tantrum when he was subbed in the first game.
Peru just don’t want to be humiliated the way Egypt have been.
This is their first finals for 36 years and professional pride demands they keep it alive until at least the final Group C match.
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Key battles/star men
Paolo Guerrero will start the match and that means the best Peru team will face Les Bleus.
He could cause problems to France skipper Hugo Lloris, who celebrates his 100th cap.
Weakest links
Peru’s lack of quality speaks for itself. Coach Ricardo Gareca confesses that his team will be overawed ‘at every level’ and just prays team spirit can keep the French at bay for 90 minutes.
Rumours that Atletico Madrid forward Griezmann has become a bit of a diva will test the solidarity of a traditionally combustible nation.
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Best Bet
Kylian Mbappe has blistering pace and will take advantage of any lapses in the Peru defence, so is tempting.
Line-ups
Peru (4-2-3-1): Gallese; Advíncula, Rodríguez, Ramos, Trauco, Tapia, Yotún, Carrillo, Cueva, Flores; Guerrero.
France (4-4-2): Lloris; Pavard, Varane, Umtiti, Hernandez; Mbappe, Pogba, Kante, Matuidi; Griezmann, Giroud.
Prem tsar in the making
Midfielder Renato Tapia. Feyenoord midfielder who, at just 22, has been compared with Sergio Busquets of Barcelona with the heart and fitness to run all night.
France's full-back Lucas Hernandez is an international rookie but considered good enough at Atletico Madrid to have signed a new long term deal alongside star man Griezmann.
Fact Me
- France and Peru’s only previous encounter was a friendly in April 1982. The South American side won 1-0 at the Parc des Princes.
- The last South American team to beat France at the World Cup was Argentina in 1978. Since then, France are unbeaten in their last seven World Cup fixtures against CONMEBOL opposition (W3 D4), with three of the last four games ending goalless.
- France have kept a clean sheet in each of their last six World Cup games against South American sides. Brazil’s Careca is the last CONMEBOL player to score past France in the competition, back in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final.
- Peru are winless in their last five World Cup encounters against European opposition (D2 L3), their last win coming against Scotland in 1978.
- Peru are winless in their last seven World Cup matches (D2 L5).
- South American side Peru mustered 17 shots in their opening game against Denmark, but still failed to find the net in a 0-1 defeat.
- After consecutive defeats vs Mexico and South Africa in 2010, France are unbeaten in their last four group stage games in World Cup finals (W3 D1 L0).
- Antoine Griezmann has been directly involved in nine of France’s last 13 goals scored in major tournaments (World Cup and European Championships), with seven goals and two assists.
- Having become France’s youngest ever player in a major tournament in their opening match, Kylian Mbappé is also looking to become their youngest ever goalscorer in a World Cup or European Championships, with David Trezeguet vs Saudi Arabia in 1998 currently holding the record (20y 246d).
- Should he make an appearance against Peru, Hugo Lloris will earn his 100th cap for the national team and will become the first goalkeeper to reach this milestone for France.