Image source, BBC Sport

The players are out warming up in Nizhny Novgorod, which looks a lot less warm than it has done for most of this World Cup.

Luis Suarez has a huge smile on his face. He may have to do a lot of the heavy lifting for Uruguay today.

Simon Gleave, head of sports analysis at Gracenote: "According to the Euro Player Index,, external Edinson Cavani's absence reduces Uruguay's chance of progress by 3%.

"France are less affected by Blaise Matuidi's suspension as his presence would only increase France's chance of reaching the semi-finals by 1% against this Uruguay team."

Chris Bevan
BBC Sport at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium

Image source, BBC Sport

Andreas has been in Russia a month – “from the beginning” - and has seen every Uruguay victory so far.

His girlfriend, Maria, has just come over from Montevideo to join him. A good luck charm… or the end of the winning run?

“I don’t know, I just hope!” said Andreas, who was probably the most nervous of any supporter I have spoken to during the entire tournament.

He is here until the final, but is not sure whether Uruguay will make it to Moscow on 15 July. “It is going to be very difficult for us,” he added. "I know France are a very good team."

Uruguayan media has reflected the anxiety and disappointment of many of the country's football fans over Edinson Cavani's absence against France due to injury.

El Pais wrote: "The worst news was confirmed on Wednesday in Nizhny Novgorod. Edinson Cavani will not be in the starting team on Friday against France."

The newspaper went on to say that, although Cavani would not be in the starting eleven, "there remains some hope he will be able to be among the substitutes".

He is NOT.

Image source, Reuters

French daily newspaper Le Monde is worried the match could be "boring".

"'G… O… A… L…': what are these letters? Do they have a meaning, if we say them out loud? Is anyone on Friday even going to attempt doing so? There's plenty of uncertainty on the eve of the match that it may well end up being be the dullest out of the entire World Cup," they say.

Keep the faith!

For all of the talk - some fair, some maybe not so fair - of Uruguay's perceived mastery of the dark arts they have only had one player booked in this World Cup.

Rodrigo Bentancur would miss the semi-final if he picks up another yellow today.

France have four players watching their step - Pavard, Pogba, Mbappe and Tolisso are all one foul move away from a game in the bin...

Real Madrid have denied they have agreed a deal to sign Paris St-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe.

The Spanish club had struck a deal with the French champions according to reports which circulated on Wednesday., external

"Real Madrid has not made any offers to PSG or the player and regrets the dissemination of this type of information," a club statement read.

The denial is the second of the week by Real, who refuted reports linking them with PSG's Neymar on Monday.

On Wednesday, Spanish publication AS cited tweets by a French journalist outlining a 272m Euro (£240m) transfer had been agreed for 19-year-old Mbappe.

Nova has nailed his colours to the Tricolore mast.

Chris Bevan
BBC Sport at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium

Walking around the wide avenues of Nizhny Novgorod this morning, the number of locals young and old, and male and female, wearing Russia shirts or waving flags was testimony to how the hosts’ progress has captured the imagination of all Russians at this World Cup - and it looks like it is going to be the same inside the stadium too.

Andrei, is here to watch Uruguay play France with his wife, son and mother in law (she refused to have her photo taken) and admits he doesn’t even like football that much.

“My son enjoys football, but I am here to support every team who plays in Nizhny,” he explained. “We are proud to have the World Cup here, it is a fantastic atmosphere and we are enjoying the occasion very much.”

Image source, Getty Images

Uruguay head coach Oscar Tabarez: "France's strongest points are the attackers, (Antoine) Griezmann and (Kylian) Mbappe.

"If you let France have space it will be very difficult.

"We are playing against very strong opponents. French football is very strong in general but this team specifically is really, really strong.

"It's not going to be easy and we're not conceited at all but we don't think it's impossible; it's difficult but not impossible.

"We'll see what happens. There is a chance and that's what we are going to focus on, that's what we believe."

BBC Radio 5 live

Tom: With Cavani out injured I think this game is France's to lose

Noel: Massive setback for Uruguay, Stuani is not even in the same postal code as Cavani!

Image source, Getty Images

Referees are not encouraged to seize centre-stage but Nestor Pitana, the man who will take charge of France v Uruguay, is used to the limelight.

The Argentine used to be an actor before becoming a top official, appearing in 1997 action film "The Fury".

His selection for this game raised eyebrows in some quarters given Argentina is Uruguay's neighbour, but Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez dismissed any conspiracy theories.

"It's a coincidence, but we have not won a game when this referee has taken charge," said Tabarez.

"It doesn't really matter if he's Argentinian or not, he's a good referee, that's all that matters."

The big news from the Uruguay team is the absence of star striker Edinson Cavani. Girona's ex-Middlesbrough forward Cristhian Stuani gets the nod to start alongside Luis Suarez. Stuani has had the season of his life in La Liga, scoring 21 goals last season.

Cavani is injured so not even an option on the bench.

Image source, .

France's one change is as expected - Corentin Tolisso replaces the suspended Blaise Matuidi in midfield.

Image source, .

Image source, Getty Images

• Uruguay and France are facing each other for the fourth time at a World Cup, but for the first time in the knockout stage.
• The last two World Cup meetings have both ended 0-0 in the group stage in 2002 and 2010 (above and below). Uruguay beat the French 2-1 in 1966.
• The Uruguayans won the last encounter 1-0 in June 2013. Luis Suarez scored the winner in a friendly in Montevideo.
• France's only victory over Uruguay in eight previous matches was a 2-0 win in a friendly in Paris in August 1985.

Image source, Getty Images

Diego Godin and Jose Gimenez are arguably the best defensinve partnership at this World Cup. The Atletico Madrid pair were resolute against Portugal and I'd fancy them to do the same this afternoon.

They certainly won't give France's gited forward line the space to do this:

Image source, Getty Images

France head coach Didier Deschamps speaking yesterday: "I am preparing my team for if (Edison) Cavani plays. If he plays or not, I will only know 90 minutes before the game.

"They (Uruguay) have so many assets, so many qualities. They defend as a unit, they play together and they love to do that."

Mark Lawrenson
BBC football expert in Russia

Uruguay have struck me as being extremely difficult to beat and, whether or not it is backed up statistically, I think they have got the best defence in the competition.

France, meanwhile, have slowly got better and better since the tournament started, and then exploded into life in their win over Argentina.

I think this will be tight but I fancy Didier Deschamps' side, who are starting to look like a really good team rather than a collection of very talented individuals.

Prediction: 0-1

Chris Bevan
BBC Sport at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium

Image source, BBC Sport

Alex (left) and Florent go home to Paris after today’s game, but they are not expecting the France team to do the same.

It’s fair to say they are pretty confident, and not just about today’s game.

“We’re going to win the World Cup, it’s true,” said Florent. “We have no doubt about that. We are not just a team now, we are a family.”

Having the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann in their side obviously bolsters that belief, with Alex adding: “We have the best attack. The world is discovering Mbappe now, but not us – we knew how good he was two years ago.”