International Tips: France to be denied Jamaica shutout

Didier Deschamps has endured a tough build-up to the World Cup

Michael Lintorn is upbeat about Argentina and USA's weekend chances, but expects France to concede...

Argentina v Slovenia
Saturday, 19:45
Live on Betfair Live Video

Match Odds: Argentina 1.261/4, Slovenia 15.5n/a, The Draw 6.611/2

Slovenia aren't attending this World Cup, but they are performing a valuable role helping prepare others for it with timely morale boosts. They have travelled to Algeria and Uruguay already this year to eat 0-2 defeats, and now head to Buenos Aires to generate momentum for Argentina.

The two-time World Cup qualifiers have failed to score in three of their last four fixtures, netting just once in the exception. Argentina by contrast have been busy defying media efforts to disparage their defence by keeping four successive clean sheets, the latest in a 3-0 victory over Trinidad and Tobago.

Recommended Bet: Back Argentina to keep a clean sheet @ 1.824/5

USA v Nigeria
Saturday, 23:00
Live on BT Sport 2

Match Odds: USA 2.166/5, Nigeria 3.953/1, The Draw 3.3512/5

Landon Donovan's many admirers are still ready to scream "told you so" the second that his surprise omission from Jurgen Klinsmann's 23-man USA squad threatens to sabotage their summer, yet the initial storm has been weathered with pre-tournament triumphs over Azerbaijan and Turkey.

The Stars and Stripes have won six and drawn two of their last ten internationals and an opportunity to extend their mini-winning streak should arise against Nigeria, who are winless in three and have been shut out in three of their last five. The hosts prevailed 3-2 in the prior head-to-head clash.

Recommended Bet: Back USA to win @ 2.166/5

France v Jamaica
Sunday, 20:00
Live on BT Sport 1

Match Odds: France 1.232/9, Jamaica 17.5n/a, The Draw 7.06/1

France drifted to 30.029/1 in the World Cup winner market following the revelation that Franck Ribery, and to a lesser extent Lyon midfielder Clement Grenier, will sit out the competition with injuries. However, it is Les Bleus' defence which might face the greatest scrutiny in their final warm-up game.

This column successfully forecast the end of France's brief sequence of shutouts last time out against Paraguay and Jamaica will pose similar problems having averaged two goals per encounter in 2014 to date, firing only one blank in five and putting two past a solid Egypt side in their last match.

Best Bet: Back France not to keep a clean sheet @ 2.3611/8