So far I am the only person, I think, to predict France to win this in Sean's prediction game, but I reckon France have the firepower to get behind Spain and score, and I just don't see Spain scoring that many goals ever at the moment (OK they did against Ireland, but, well, you know)

Also France have already played in Donetsk twice, and I reckon that will make a difference

I would love if if they did, but France have looked really uninspiring so far.

On paper, France can definitely do it, but I'm a bit worried about team cohesion after reports of locker room scuffles following the Sweden loss, especially against an opponent like Spain.

England exposed their defence despite mounting very few attacks. Sweden scored twice. I think Spain will hit a brick wall eventually but it's not France.

Difficult to see many goals in this one tonight, although I'm really looking forward to it nonetheless.

I've said this before in this tournament, but this looks like it has the potential to be the first 0-0 draw. I think it will be 1-0 one way or the other, though, and I think there's more chance of it going France's way than the bookie's odds would have us believe (they're currently 5.3 on Betfair).

As it says on a popular t-shirt in my parts..."Je supporte la Suisse et n'importe quelle equipe qui joue contre la France"...I was ABF before I was ABE...

Vamos!

Maybe you should wait until most of the post-Hollande capital flight across the border into Geneva is done before you put it on.

Nasri is out of the lineup. This is very poor tactical choice by Blanc, who is putting a defensive team with Réveillère in Debuchy's spot and the latter in the midfield along with MVilla, Cabaye and Malouda. Could have been a disciplinary move. Diarra hasn't played well against Sweden but he was excellent in the earlier games, while Malouda has floundered.

France's strength is up front, and Nasri has done a good job at linking up with the forwards while providing a good scoring threat. A defensive scheme with this roster is a very poor option against a team like Spain. I'd be shocked if we win; it could actually get ugly, 2-0/3-1 or even 3-0. Blanc is a good leader but he's proving to be tactically limited.

So one striker on the field and he drops back into midfield all the time. I can't see this being a classic somehow.

Ah fuck, Jamie Carragher's on the panel. Mute button on until kick-off then.

All French players with their arms around each others shoulders in a show of unity during the anthem, both on the field and on the bench. All except Nasri that is.

Drop your best player in possession of the ball against the kings of possession football. Makes no sense to me.

France playing in all white.

This has to stop.

Could do with an early goal, this game.

France are trying to outdo Ireland's performance against Spain in being piss-poor in possession.

This is starting to get bogged down in midfield. France are losing the ball too easy, while Spain are happy to just pass it around until they manage to break through.

Ref's set his stall out. No cheap free kicks here.

Spain looking like it's their first game on Pro Evolution Soccer with the pass assistance switched off. Very odd.

Taylor wrote:


Could do with a French goal. Fat chance of that happening the way they've set themselves up. And they have the gall to question England's tactics.

I like Ribery, and that's about it in France.
I really like Xavi and Iniesta in Spain, but that's about it.

I really have grown unfond of the Tiki-Taka, like seven year old kids with a magnifying glass discovering how to torture and murder ants with a narrow beam chasing the insects, it was amazing at first, but morbid and disturbing now. I want the glass to be shattered.

Or the Gaul.