Miami hosts the Fifa World Cup third place play off on Saturday night where France clash with England
France
France came up against Spain in Tuesday’s semi final in Dallas, they were favourites with the bookmakers but put in a flat display in a 2-0 defeat. Their attacking talent never got going against a Spain side who were rarely troubled defensively.
France had booked their semi final spot with a 2-0 win over Morocco in Boston. Both goals came in the space of 6 second half minutes with Mbappe, who had missed an earlier penalty, scoring the first and Dembele the second.
In the Round of 16 France came up against an awkward opponent in the shape of Paraguay in the in Philadelphia but they came through with a 1-0 victory with Kyian Mbappe scoring the only goal of the game from the penalty spot on 70 minutes.
In the Round of 32 France put Sweden away 3-0 in New Jersey. Mbappe scored in each half with Barcola also on target.
France were foot perfect in in Group I winning all 3 of their matches to finish 3 points clear of Norway, Senegal were third with 3 points and also made it through and Iraq were the also rans, failing to earn a point. They started with a 3-1 win over Senegal and followed up with a 3-0 victory over Iraq and a 4-1 hiding of Norway.
Mbappe is the tournaments joint leading scorer with 8 goals, Olise leads the way in assists with 5.
England
On Wednesday England clashed with Argentina in the second of the semi finals and a late collapse saw them go down 2-1. After he first half ended without a goal Anthony Gordon gave England a 55th minute lead. Coach Tuchel subsequently turned to his bench and adopted a hold what we have approach to the remainder of the game, England sat back and came unstuck in the 85th minute when Argentina equalized and in the second minute of injury time the South American’s found the winner.
Jude Bellingham scored twice for England who beat Norway 2-1 in extra time in the quarter finals in Miami. Both sides struggled in the heat and Norway took the lead on 36 minutes only for Bellingham to square things up on the stroke of half time. It stayed that way throughout the second half and early in extra time Bellingham made it 2-1 and that’s how it finished.
England took on co-hosts Mexico in the Azteca Stadium in the Round of 16 and they held on for a 3-2 win. Jude Bellingham scored twice and they led 2-1 at half time. Jarell Quansah was red carded on 54 minutes but England went 3-1 up with a Harry Kane penalty and although Mexico made it 3-2 England held on.
England were given a huge scare by DR Congo before eventually coming through their Round of 32 clash in Atlanta with a 2-1 win. They were a goal down in just 7 minutes and DRC also hit the woodwork. It took England until the 75th minute to draw level through a Harry Kane header and the England skipper then completed the comeback with an excellent strike in the 86th minute.
England topped Group L with 2 wins and 1 draw. Their tally of 7 points was 1 more than runners up Croatia whilst Ghana finished third with 4 points and Panama failed to earn a point or score a goal and were eliminated. They started with a 4-2 win over Croatia then played out a 0-0 draw with Ghana and a 2-0 win over Panama.
Bellingham and Kane have both scored 6 goals, Gordon and Saka have both provided 3 assists.
The Betting (Regulation time unless stated otherwise)
France are priced at around 19/20 to win the game with the draw available at 11/4 and England can be backed at around 27/10
A game of 3 goals or more is priced at 9/20 and it’s a similar price for both teams to score
Price boosts from Sportingbet include:
France to lead at half time and full time at 2/1
England to win a match of 3 goals or more in total is 17/4
New Player Deposit Bonus Up To R15000
The Verdict:
The third place play off is usually settled in regulation time and it will come down to which set of players really want it the most. The way France just never got going against Spain in the semis is of concern but I see them as the more talented of these two sides and I’m thinking the likes of Mbappe going for the golden boot and Olise topping the assist charts along with the desire to see Deschamps leave the coaching role with a win will see them get the job done.
I’m going to play around France win and over 2.5 goals and Barcola gets the vote to score any time.
Bets: France to win and over 2.5 total goals? Yes at 29/20 with Hollywoodbets
Any time goalscorer Bradley Barcola at 36/10 with Hollywoodbets
Both bets regulation time only
Note, odds are subject to change