World Cup 2010 / Feizal Rahman / 13 October 2009 / Leave a comment

If France are to reach the World Cup, they will have to do it the hard way, via the play-offs. On Wednesday night they face an Austrian side who will offer them a good dress rehearsal for the real thing, says Feizal Rahmann.

"Austria were the first opponents to give France problems in this group with a 3-1 home win in the opening fixture but that may give the French all the more reason to finish off with a revenge victory."

Looking a side in trouble for much of qualification, now assured of a playoff place, France will look to this game with Austria as the perfect warm-up opportunity - France [1.34] to win, Austria [12.5], The Draw [5.5].

Austria were the first opponents to give France problems in this group with a 3-1 home win in the opening fixture but that may give the French all the more reason to finish off with a revenge victory. The Austrians have lost their last four contests on Gallic soil, most recently in 2007 and their overall away record in all competitions sees them winless in eight games since 2006.

The hosts, meanwhile, have been victorious in their last four competitive home games since a shock defeat to Scotland in 2007. That loss, however, has been the only non-friendly upset at home in the last decade. France are likely to maintain a strong starting line up for this contest with the playoff in mind. Frank Ribery and Yohan Gourcuff were omitted from the squad owing to injury concerns though the front-line still boasts Thierry Henry, Nicolas Anelka and Real Madrid's Karim Benzema.

However, Toulouse striker Andre-Pierre Gignac scored twice against the Faroes and may be handed another start and should be around [6.0] to break the deadlock. Perhaps surprisingly, however, Austria's Marko Janko is the group's top goalscorer and in great form for club side, Red Bull Salzburg, can be backed at around [5.0] to score at anytime, while Stefan Maierhofer - who scored on his debut for Wolves and impressed in a Carling Cup tie at Old Trafford three weeks ago - may be given a chance to find the net for his country at around [6.0].

Given the attacking talent France have at their disposal, however, only three games in the last twenty on French soil have provided three goals or more - while none of Austria's away qualifiers games have produced over 2.5 goals. Backing Under 2.5 at a current [1.98] may appeal as a result.

The 5-0 scoreline over the Faroes was one of only five in the last twenty at home in which France won by more than a single goal, though they have kept a clean sheet in thirteen of those twenty (France clean sheet around [1.7]). Austria, meanwhile have lost only one in last four away by two goals or more so a punt on Austria +1.5 on the Asian handicap at [1.86] may reward.

Best Bets:

Under 2.5 Goals @ [1.98]

Austria +1.5 @ [1.86]

Tags: betting, French football, Nicolas Anelka, Thierry Henry, World Cup betting, World Cup previews