World Cup: Uruguay vs. France team news, predictions, betting odds and TV channel
Uruguay star Edinson Cavani looks likely to miss the clash in Nizhny Novgorod
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.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
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
- 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
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
What is the next Tory leader up against?
Today's Big Question Kemi Badenoch or Robert Jenrick will have to unify warring factions and win back disillusioned voters – without alienating the centre ground
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Epic meltdown'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
The World of Tim Burton: a 'creepy, witty and visually ravishing' exhibition
The Week Recommends Sprawling show at the Design Museum features over 600 exhibits from across the directors' five-decade career from early sketches to costumes and props
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
Mason Greenwood: footballer arrested on suspicion of rape and assault
Speed Read Man Utd confirm the striker will not train or play until further notice
By The Week Staff Published
-
Handball: swapping bikini bottoms for tight pants
Speed Read Women competitors will be required to ‘wear short tight pants with a close fit’
By The Week Staff Published
-
Cristiano Ronaldo’s second coming
Speed Read Last week, Manchester United re-signed the forward on a two-year deal thought to be worth more than £400,000 a week
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Bank holidays and boycotts: are MPs trying to jinx England?
Speed Read Declaring a bank holiday would be ‘tempting fate’, says Boris Johnson
By The Week Staff Published
-
Weightlifting: Olympic Games set for transgender first
Speed Read New Zealand weightlifter Laurel Hubbard will make history at Tokyo 2020
By The Week Staff Published
-
UK plans to expel spies from hostile states amid Russia-Czech explosion row
Why Everyone’s Talking About Proposed foreign agent registration scheme will crack down on Russian and Chinese activities
By Sorcha Bradley Last updated
-
Sport shorts: Champions League expansion plan to be agreed
Speed Read News and reactions from the world of sport, featuring Joachim Low and the Lions women’s team
By Mike Starling Published
-
Sport shorts: Sturgeon slams Rangers fans over title celebrations
Speed Read News and reactions from the world of sport, featuring Keely Hodgkinson and Bryson DeChambeau
By Mike Starling Published