FIFA World Cup: France vs Peru preview
France are inches away from booking a spot in the round of 16 of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. They have a great opportunity to grab it when they play Peru in their second Group C game in Yekaterinburg. France defeated Australia 2-1 in the opener, while Peru were narrowly beaten by Denmark. Here is all about this fixture.
Deschamps to start clinical Giroud
France were a little shy in front of goal against Australia and this could force Didier Deschamps to make changes in his starting XI. Olivier Giroud could be handed a start while Antoine Griezmann has been declared fit after picking up a 'niggle' in the opening fixture. As for Peru, their captain Paolo Guerrero could be in the starting XI.
Peru lack the killer instinct
Peru have been extremely poor in the final third and missed captain Paolo Guerrero against Denmark. They mustered 17 shots in their opening game but failed to find the back of the net in the 1-0 defeat. They will have to stop squandering their chances and will have to be much more clinical against France if they want to keep their hopes alive.
France and Peru have met only once
This is only the second-ever meeting between the two teams. The previous encounter between France and Peru was a friendly in 1982. The South Americans won the fixture 1-0. However, Peru are making a return to the World Cup after a 36-year absence. They are winless in their last 7 World Cup fixtures, drawing 2 while losing the rest 5 of them.
Heart and soul of the French national team
Antoine Griezmann is the driving force for the Les Blues. He has been directly involved in nine of France's last 13 goals scored at a major tournament. Griezmann has scored seven goals and bagged two assists. Captain Hugo Lloris will be celebrating his 100th cap for the Le Blues and would want to finish it with a win.
France: Probable Starting XI
Hugo Lloris, Benjamin Pavard, Raphael Varane, Samuel Umtiti, Lucas Hernandez; Paul Pogba, Ngolo Kante, Blaise Matuidi, Antoine Griezmann, Olivier Giroud and Kylian Mbappe.
Peru: Probable Starting XI
Pedro Gallese, Luis Advincula, Christian Ramos, Alberto Rodriguez, Miguel Trauco, Pedro Aquino, Yoshimar Yotun, Andre Carrillo, Edison Flores, Jefferson Farfan and Paolo Guerrero.
