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World Cup 2010

World Cup 2010: France can shine in qualifying (despite Domenech)

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Raymond Domenech may not be flavour of the month, but France are capable of making a winning start in their World Cup qualifiers despite the man on the bench, writes James Eastham.

Plus ca change, as the French say. The more things change, the more things stay the same. And the angrier the French get, in the case of the FFF's decision to maintain Raymond Domenech as France coach following the humiliation of Euro 2008.

Aside from playing badly, conceding six goals and having a man sent off at the finals in Austria and Switzerland (that man, Eric Abidal, being unworthy of a place in the side in the first place), Domenech's marriage proposal to his partner live on television in the aftermath of les Bleus' elimination from the tournament at the hands of Italy did more to underline the egocentrism and opportunism that has characterised his rule than any of his questionable decisions regarding the field of play.

Domenech, let's not forget, led France to the 2006 World Cup final, but most observers, regardless of their wider opinion on the divisive French selectionneur, acknowledge that the national team's considerable achievement in going so far on German soil two years ago owed more to Zinedine Zidane's belated rediscovery of his own genius and the unflappable defending of Lilian Thuram, William Gallas and Claude Makelele than it did to the man who stood by the bench with one eye on the stars.

It was to a general reaction of astonishment and anger that the FFF confirmed Domenech in his post in July, albeit with a number of conditions. But the adds-on, ranging from an instruction that Domenech show more humility in press dealings to demands for more attacking football, merely fudged the decision. After all, if you want a new era, ethos and environment.... why not appoint a new boss?

So the pressure will be on Domenech as France ([1.74 to win]) kick off their World Cup 2010 qualifying campaign against Austria ([6.2]) in Vienna on Saturday night - and yet, paradoxically, happier times lie ahead, in my view. Why? Because a succession of retirements and injuries among the older players in whom Domenech ill-advisedly invested too much faith over the summer has left France with a younger fresher looking squad - and a better chance of success as a result.

Domenech is lucky enough to have dozen of so players whose talent, experience and enthusiasm ought to enable the national team to breeze through ahead of group rivals Romania, Serbia, Austria, Lithuania and Faroe Islands before making an impact in South Africa in two years time. The [1.67] on France winning Group 7 looks about right to me.

Who's out? Lilian Thuram (retired), Claude Makelele (semi-retired), Gregory Coupet (dropped), Willy Sagnol (injured, but, one hopes, never to return) and Patrick Vieira (see Sagnol); belatedly, in come Bacary Sagna, Philippe Mexes, Gael Clichy and Mathieu Flamini. In Vieira's absence, Thierry Henry - easily the most experienced member of the squad, with 103 caps - wears the captain's armband. The Barcelona striker is the only member of the 'old guard' set to play a pivotal role over the coming months, with the likes of Samir Nasri, Lyon's Jeremy Toulalan and exciting Marseille winger Hatem Ben Arfa - injured this time, but an exceptionally gifted attacker - likely to emerge as key men.

Marseille's outstanding shot-stopper Steve Mandanda will be in goal, while a back four comprising Sagna, Mexes, Gallas and Evra has no reason to envy any defensive unit in Europe. A midfield quartet without the injured Franck Ribery but containing Sidney Govou, Toulalan, Lassana Diarra and Nasri has the technique and guile to unlock Austria's defence.

Up front, Henry's partner will be Lyon's Karim Benzema, who has begun the season in sparkling fashion with four goals in four league games. Only a foolhardy punter would oppose the 20-year-old striker, now an automatic first choice for his country, making it five.

France started post-Euro 2008 life impressively last month, with a 3-2 win against Sweden in Gothenburg - and I fancy them to make it two victories out of two. The stats are on their side, too - they've won nine of their last 10 away qualifiers against teams outside the top 30 in Fifa's rankings (Austria lie 101st) and conceded just two goals in the process.

But if the [1.74] on France is too short, don't worry - back them with a -0.75 start on the Asian handicap ([1.91]) instead. The winning margin in six of those nine away wins was two goals or bigger - so there's little downside to the handicap wager.

Don't let the Domenech factor cloud your betting judgement. Yes, the guy's a clown, but that's a side issue. Les Bleus are ready to start winning again, despite the oddball on the bench.

Recommended bet:

France -0.75 on the Asian handicap [1.91]