Midfield attack: Ribery, Nasri, Malouda

Blanc has a pleasant dilemma here. Hatem Ben Arfa and Marvin Martin are both gifted enough to start but France will not want to lose the opening game and for that reason Blanc can be expected to go for experience. Florent Malouda and Franck Ribery, like Diarra, played in the 2006 World Cup final.

Midfield threat: Florent Malouda (second left) and Franck Ribery (right)

Malouda and Ribery can offer Hodgson no surprises, though negating their effect is still a task. Ribery’s goal against Iceland was his first for more than three years for France. He then scored against Serbia and Estonia. Nasri divides opinion in France, which will not surprise fans of Arsenal or Manchester City. But, in the mood, Nasri can hurt England, floating between the lines of attack.

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