Uruguay vs. France
- When: Friday 6 July
- Kick-off time: 3pm (UK time)
- Where: Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, Nizhny Novgorod
- TV channel: live on ITV
Uruguay are likely to be without star striker Edinson Cavani for the World Cup quarter-final against France.
The 31-year-old scored both goals in the last-16 win over Portugal but limped off after 74 minutes with a calf injury. He has missed training for three consecutive days, ESPN reports, and is a major doubt for the clash in Nizhny Novgorod.
Cavani, who plays in France for PSG, has scored three goals in four matches in Russia and is central to his country’s hopes of progress.
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The Uruguay football federation said: “The player remains in pain. He will continue to do individual work and rehabilitation. His evolution is being monitored. The rest of the squad is fine.”
Without Cavani, Uruguay’s hopes will rest on their other world-class forward, Barcelona’s Luis Suarez.
France have their own talented forward line, including Cavani’s PSG teammate Kylian Mbappe, who starred with two goals in the 4-3 win against Argentina.
Fellow forward Antoine Griezmann will also be up against familiar faces when he goes head-to-head with Uruguay defenders and Atletico Madrid teammates Diego Godin and Jose Gimenez.
Godin is godfather to Griezmann’s daughter - and the French star believes it will be an emotional last-eight encounter. He said: “Diego is a great friend. I’m with him every day, on and off the pitch, and that’s why he’s the godfather of my daughter. He made me want to sign for the club.
“It’s going to be a great game to play in and a really emotional experience too.”
Forbes writer Robert Kidd predicts that the key battle will actually be Godin vs. Mbappe. “Uruguay captain Godin has the unenviable task of keeping Mbappe quiet, but it is a challenge the 32-year-old centre-back will relish,” says Kidd. “If Mbappe wants to score, he’ll have to go through Godin first.”
Team news
If Cavani is ruled out then he will probably be replaced in the Uruguay team by Cristhian Stuani. But ESPN says Cristian Rodriguez is another option for Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez.
Goal.com reports that French midfielder Blaise Matuidi is suspended, so Ousmane Dembele could come into the side. Corentin Tolisso and Thomas Lemar are other options.
Uruguay vs. France predicted starting XIs
How the teams could line up at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, according to Fifa.com:
- Uruguay: Fernando Muslera; Martin Caceres, Jose Maria Gimenez, Diego Godin, Diego Laxalt; Nahitan Nandez, Lucas Torreira, Matias Vecino, Rodrigo Bentancur; Luis Suarez, Edinson Cavani/Cristhian Stuani
- France: Hugo Lloris; Benjamin Pavard, Raphael Varane, Samuel Umtiti, Lucas Hernandez; N’Golo Kante, Paul Pogba; Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann, Corentin Tolisso; Olivier Giroud
Uruguay vs. France predictions
The Daily Telegraph: “Uruguay are so good defensively, and if they can put the stops on Kylian Mbappe then they stop France. France, on the other hand, looked dodgy in defence against a very poor Argentine side. Prediction: Uruguay 1 France 0.”
Roland Kesler, 101GreatGoals: “Although Uruguay head into the match with the joint-best defensive record at the tournament, they’ll find it difficult to stop the attacking threat of Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann. Don’t rule out extra-time in this one. If Oscar Tabarez can get his tactics right, Uruguay will be causing France some problems of their own. Prediction: Uruguay 1-2 France [after extra time].”
Sports Illustrated: “It’s likely that Luis Suarez will need to be at his goalscoring best - in the absence of his partner in crime Cavani - if Uruguay are to stand a chance against the 1998 winners. If they can stand firm at the back, as they did against Portugal, then they stand a reasonable chance. However, should Mbappe, Paul Pogba and Antoine Griezmann show up to play, then it could be a long afternoon for Suarez and Co. Prediction: Uruguay 1-3 France.”
Uruguay vs. France betting odds
Best prices according to Oddschecker (as of 5 July).
- France to win: 21/20
- Draw: 9/4
- Uruguay to win: 15/4
First goalscorer
- Antoine Griezmann (France): 4/1
- Kylian Mbappe (France): 11/2
- No goalscorer: 6/1
- Olivier Giroud (France): 6/1
- Luis Suarez (Uruguay): 13/2
- Edinson Cavani (Uruguay): 7/1
- Nabil Fekir (France): 15/2
