France v South Africa

Group A, 14:00 GMT, June 22, 2010

Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein, South Africa

It is safe to say that France are in complete disarray. Following their drab 0-0 draw with Uruguay and 2-0 reverse against Mexico, Les Bleus stand on the precipice of a second group stage exit in the last three World Cups. The surprise run to the final in 2006 seems just a distant memory and this time around, Domenech's side do not possess the Zinedine Zidane get-out-of-jail card.

Poor performances on the pitch have been commonplace in the four years since that fateful night in Berlin and in South Africa, there has been no sparkle. Whispers about players being unhappy with much-maligned coach Raymond Domenech have been bubbling under the surface for a while, but they have erupted into the public arena in the past few days.

Nicolas Anelka's alleged foul-mouthed rant at Domenech at half-time in the Mexico game was widely reported and certainly pointed to the sort of unrest that the French Football Federation (FFF) felt was unacceptable. Anelka was sent home but the problem was not solved. The players revolted - refusing to train on Sunday. Perhaps the strangest development in the whole debacle was that Domenech - the victim of Anelka's tirade - was the one to read the statement revealing the players' unhappiness. If the incident provokes the players and coach to be aligned in opposition to the FFF, it could amazingly bring the team closer together.

For South Africa, the end of the road seems near. The Bafana Bafana fans have provided a colourful, passionate presence and will do everything to lift their team going into the final game. But after the opening draw against Mexico, the hosts' world ranking of 83 was exposed fully by Uruguay in a comprehensive 3-0 defeat. Salt was rubbed into South African wounds as goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune was sent-off, with back-up stopper Moeneeb Josephs in line to replace him against France.

It would seem that Carlos Alberto Parreira's side need a miracle, and what they (as well as France) will also be hoping for is a winner in the Mexico v Uruguay game. The miracle could have come in the form of Les Bleus' tumultuous preparation, but changes need to be made to take full advantage, starting with the 4-5-1 formation that has left star striker Katlego Mphela marginalised in the opening two matches.

France player to watch: Thierry Henry. Les Bleus' all-time leading scorer has become a peripheral figure in South Africa; the once mighty captain fantastic seems to have lost his va-va-voom to such an extent that he was an unused substitute against Mexico. But Anelka's departure opens the door for a return to the starting line-up that will likely be encouraged by his team-mates. One of the most talented players of his generation, Henry still possesses the talent to unlock any defence and could yet provide the inspiration to pull France back from the brink.

South Africa player to watch: Reneilwe Letsholonyane. The 'Divine Ponytail' he may not be, but Letsholonyane's locks have been seen bounding up and down the pitch in Bafana Bafana's first two games. Full of energy, he has been a driving force in South Africa's midfield; his ability to close-down opponents when they have the ball and burst forward at pace when his own team are in possession have made him an integral player for Parreira's side.

Key Battle: Abou Diaby v Steven Pienaar. Diaby will have to shoulder the responsibility of being France's midfield ball-winner because of Jeremy Toulalan's suspension, providing a box-to-box presence and some strength in the middle of the park. He will have his hands full facing up to the energy of Letsholonyane and Siphiwe Tshabalala, as well as the guile of Steven Pienaar, who produced one of his most memorable performances at club level against Diaby's Arsenal last season. Pienaar has not lived up to his billing as South Africa's key man thus far but he relishes the big occasion and will hope to prove himself and provide a spark against the French.

Trivia: Uruguay's 3-0 win over South Africa last Wednesday represented the largest margin of victory against a host nation in the group stage in World Cup history.

Stats: Only three hosts have failed to finish among the top eight teams at a World Cup: Spain in 1982 (12th), the United States in 1994 (14th), and Japan in 2002 (9th).

Odds: South Africa (3.25), North Korea (2.30), the draw (3.30) are all on offer at Bet365, while Thierry Henry to score the last goal might be worth a flutter at 7.50.

Prediction: Anelka's removal from the squad and the subsequent player revolt may just spark the sort of siege mentality needed to inspire a struggling France side to victory. South Africa will be no walkovers but their fans will leave Free State Stadium feeling disappointed at Bafana's exit.