France need Scottish success to open gap

PARIS, Oct 5 (Reuters) Despite his expectation of a tough, physical challenge, France coach Raymond Domenech is eyeing a six point return from Scotland to help provide a cushion for the tough finale of their Euro 2008 Group B campaign.

The French have made an impressive start to their qualifying bid with a 3-0 victory over Georgia in Tbilisi and a 3-1 home win over world champions Italy in Paris last month.

Scotland are above them on goal difference thanks to their 6-0 thrashing of Faroe Islands and a 2-1 win in Lithuania and Domenech knows his side will have to fight for everything in Glasgow on Saturday.

''We can expect a challenge similar to the one we faced when we played against Ireland in Dublin (last year),'' Domenech told a news conference this week.

France snatched a 1-0 victory at Lansdowne Road in September 2005, a result which proved decisive in the qualification for this year's World Cup.

''The only difference is that now we don't have the knife at our throat. Against Ireland, we had no choice but to win,'' Domenech said.

''Against Scotland, a win will not be so important but when you cast an eye at the schedule of the group's matches, you can tell yourself, the sooner you reap points, the better.'' France do not play on the penultimate qualifying date but finish with an awkward trip to Ukraine.

''It means that we will need to be at least six points ahead of our rivals to be certain to go through,'' the coach said. ''A win in Scotland won't do any harm.'' Since the retirement of Zinedine Zidane after the World Cup, Domenech has returned to a 4-4-2 lineup built on the combined midfield talents of Claude Makelele and captain Patrick Vieira.

''We have found a good balance. The team is feeling pretty well and I'm not going to make changes for the sake of it,'' Domenech said.

The only change from the side which started against Italy last month could be the return of striker David Trezeguet up front as Sidney Govou and Louis Saha are struggling with injuries. Nicolas Anelka could also get another taste of international football after a late call-up to the squad.

Scotland have lost three fullbacks and midfielder Nigel Quashie through injury but are hopeful Everton forward James McFadden will be fit to start.

Probable teams: Scotland: Craig Gordon; Graham Alexander, Russell Anderson, Christian Dailly, Steven Pressley; Barry Ferguson, Darren Fletcher, Paul Hartley, Scott Severin; Kris Boyd and James McFadden.

France: Gregory Coupet: Willy Sagnol, Lilian Thuram, William Gallas, Eric Abidal; Franck Ribery, Patrick Vieira, Claude Makelele, Florent Malouda; David Trezeguet, Thierry Henry Referee: Massimo Busacca (Switzerland) REUTERS AB PM1506