Euro 2012 Predictions: Why France Should Be Favored to Win Tournament

Euro 2012 is a new chance for teams to make up for mistakes of the past and France is one of those countries desperately trying to do so.

To think that the French club could be considered favorites to win anything two years ago would have been a joke, thanks to their disappointing finish in the 2010 World Cup.

But after some changes to the roster, amongst other very important areas, Les Blues are primed to make a run in the European Championships that puts them in the conversation with some of the best in the world.

You may not believe me now, but let's take a look at why France should be favored to win Euro 2012.

New Leadership

As mentioned over and over again in the discussion of Euro 2012, France had major problems in 2010 thanks to their unruly former head coach, Raymond Domenech.

According to the Associated Press, per USA Today, Domenech was fired for three distinct reasons: his handling of the expulsion of Nicolas Anelka from the World Cup, the subsequent strike by the squad from a practice session and his refusal to shake the hand of South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira after France's 2-1 loss in the group stage.

No wonder this squad didn't respond to their former leader. He wasn't much of a leader at all and instead, Domenech appeared to be more of a divider.

Thanks to new coach, Laurent Blanc, this club has no problem playing well together and have displayed such with great play under their new coach. Blanc's hand in building this club has given his squad enough talent to beat some of the top teams in the tournament.

Favorable Group

With England's diminished expectations in Euro 2012, there isn't much more competition for France getting out of Group D. Les Blues are by far the most talented club in their group.

Host country Ukraine, as well as Sweden, don't have enough talent to match up with even the potentially disappointing English squad. Both clubs will have a tough time getting past the two better teams in group play.

France's grouping makes for an easier road to the quarterfinals and that's the first step to winning the European Championship.

Momentum

Under their new coach, the French team hasn't lost in 21 matches and that success will certainly carry over into the tournament.

According to Mike Collett of Reuters, Blanc has tried all he can to downplay his team's chances of winning Euro 2012 despite increased expectations from years past.

"The French team don't have the same ambitions as Spain or Germany at the start of these European Championships," he said. "In terms of our results over the last few years, France have not retained our place in European or world football."

That type of steady hand will help take any pressure off of this club as they are riding high and staying under the radar against some of the better teams in the tourney.

Confidence, and more importantly momentum, will be in the corner of Les Blues for Euro 2012. Despite injuries, this squad has proven to be deep enough to replace any player lost on the field.