And then there were two. Twelve years after their last World Cup final appearance, Italy is back on schedule, hoping to mimic their 1982 outing. Meanwhile, France has bounced back from a horrible showing at the last World Cup in 2002, a less than stellar Euro 2004 and looks to repeat their feat from 1998. The two teams met in the Euro 2000 final with Les Bleus stealing a win from the Azzurri with a 2-1 final score.

Italy (Pick’em, -118, Over/Under 2½)

If you are superstitious, you might want to lay down some money on the Azzurri. They beat West Germany in 1982, they lost to Brazil in 1994, and if the cycle is correct, Italy is due for a win.

It all begins in goal. Gianluigi Buffon has proved that he is one of the best money goalkeepers, allowing only one goal—and an own goal at that—in the tournament thus far. Buffon was able to perform at the top of his game despite being embroiled in a betting scandal back in Italy. In fact, many are saying that the scandal back in their homeland has brought the team together. The Juventus goalkeep has a chance to establish a new World Cup record in the final. If Gigi can shutout France for 90 minutes on Sunday, he will break the record, held by another Italian goalkeep Walter Zenga, for longest shutout streak.

Captain Fabio Cannavaro and the Azzurri have scored 11 goals so far, but unlike other high scoring teams in the tournament, Italy's offensive attack has been quite balanced. Unlike Brazil and Germany—who were led in scoring by Ronaldo (3) and Miroslav Klose (5) respectively—the Azzurri’s leading scorer, Luca Toni, has only two goals. Barring a massive blowout in the final, an Italian won’t be making a run at the Golden Shoe, awarded to the World Cup’s leading scorer.

But the team does have the ability to put the ball in the net as witnessed in their 3-0 quarterfinal victory over the Ukraine, where sportsbooks (Bodog.com) had them listed as ½ goal, -180 favorites.

Unlike past Italian teams, this edition seems to run a different system. Experts say that while Italy was content to build a one goal lead and fall back to play ‘D’ in the past; they have pulled a complete 180 under coach Marcello Lippi. Never was this more evident than in the semifinal against Germany. After a tightly contested match in regular time, the Italians finally solved German goalkeep Jens Lehmann in the 119th minute. Rather than ride out the rest of extra time in their own end, the Azzurri continued attacking and scored another goal to seal the deal.

Midfielder Daniele DeRossi, who was suspended for elbowing American Brian McBride, has finished serving his suspension and may see action if called upon, but Alessandro Nesta, who is suffering from a thigh injury, may not.

France (Pick’em, +112, Over/Under 2½)

After achieving world soccer supremacy back in 1998 and 2000, the French have experienced peaks and valleys, with emphasis on valleys. They failed to defend their title in Asia 2002, where they didn’t get a win, or score a goal and in Euro 2004, they fared marginally better, making the quarters, but losing to eventual champion Greece.

Though Les Bleus’ system lacks the punch of the Italians they will have experience on their side.

A number of tried and tested veterans will probably be playing their final games for France, come Sunday the ninth, one of the most notable being midfielder Zinedine Zidane. The veteran has represented his country well, earning 107 Caps, and scoring 30 goals in international duty, including two goals against Brazil in the fabled 1998 World Cup final. So far in Germany, Zidane has scored two goals and will look to add to that total in the title game.

Though not as good as the Azzurri’s Buffon, France’s goalkeeper Fabien Barthez is very solid if not experienced. Having earned 86 Caps for his country, Barthez helped backstop Les Bleus in both the 1998 World Cup and 2000 UEFA Euro championship teams. He currently has allowed only one more goal than Gianluigi Buffon and sports a 0.33 GAA. Will Barthez add another World Cup to his résumé?

Another warhorse on the French side is Thierry Henry, though five years Zidane’s junior, Henry nevertheless has earned his stripes for Les Bleus. Henry has appeared in 84 international games for France and has netted 36 goals in international action. In fact, Henry is currently tied for second in scoring in the 2006 tournament.

French supporters were probably ready to jump off the Eiffel Tower at the tournament’s start. Les Bleus imitated their Asia 2002 performance, when they earned 0-0 and 1-1 draws against the Swiss and the Koreans. But they put their fans’ fears to rest after they went on a four game winning streak. During that streak, they scored seven goals and allowed one. Going into the title game France seems to be hitting full steam.

France seems to be healthy with few players in the sick bay. Little used defender Gael Givet may miss the game with illness and forward Louis Saha will miss the game with suspension.

Bottom Line: Italy 2 : France 1

France is more experienced, but Italy has a better goalkeep and with their system they will attack Barthez relentlessly. Take the Azzurri to not only to win but to go over the 2½ goal total as well.