France v Germany 1X2 prediction and betting tip

Match	Date	Selection	Bet	Odds	Bet now
France v Germany 1X2 prediction and betting tip World Cup 2014, International	04/07/2014 18:00	full time result	France	3.30	Bet at Coral
Betting prediction was written by Colin

FRANCE V GERMANY: PREDICTIONS AND BETTING TIPS

An all European quarter final as France take on Germany in Rio, and a cracking encounter awaits between two well matched sides.

FRANCE: STORY SO FAR

France began their group campaign in quite explosive fashion with an easy 3-0 win against Honduras followed by a hugely impressive 5-2 destruction of Switzerland. They led 5-0 there, and but for a missed penalty and the referees whistle it could have been 7 against a Switzerland side ranked 6 in the World. Defensive doubts remain for when they meet the very best, but the fact that Pogba and Griezmann started on the bench for the Swiss game shows the strength in depth of the France midfield, and with Benzema up front it is a frightening prospect for the opposition to face. Needing just a point to qualify the 0-0 draw with Ecuador was less impressive from the French, though they dominated possession and had enough chances to have won the game comfortably.

The knockout stages brought Nigeria as the opposition, and the French were second best in the opening end to end exchanges before finishing the game strongly to get a 2-0 win. The introduction of Griezmann for the ineffective Giroud on the hour proved to be the switch that turned the game France’s way, and another clean sheet from the defence can only breed confidence at the back.

GERMANY: STORY SO FAR

A high tempo start from the Germans saw a resounding 4-0 win against Portugal with Thomas Muller wasting no time in getting amongst the World Cup goals again with a hat trick. Even though Portugal where down to ten men for more than a half it was a highly impressive display, sure to make everyone sit up and take notice. A 2-2 draw with Ghana was next for Germany, and it was certainly a less convincing display with Ghana perhaps the better side on balance. The final group game against USA required just a point to top the group, but an excellent Muller strike got the win for Germany. The Germans dominated possession here, but the feeling is they were never out of second gear and could have stepped it up if required.

In the round of sixteen Germany were given plenty of scares by Algeria, who spurned some great chances, especially in the first half, and though they dominated the second period it ended 0-0 after ninety minutes. Germany got the breakthrough early in the extra time period, and late goals at either end made the final score 2-1 to the Germans, who deserved the win based on possession and chances created, though the German press were less than complimentary about the performance.

TEAM NEWS:

Central defender Sakho is fit again for France after injury while defender Mustafi is definitely out for Germany. Hummels, Boateng(def), Schweinsteiger and Podolski(mid) are also carrying knocks but should be available. Worryingly a flu bug is said to be within the Germany camp, and is a real concern.

RUN OF PLAY:

France will surely start with Griezmann after the effect he had when coming on versus Nigeria, and Giroud should be the one to make way. This will also mean Benzema plays in the main striker role that seems to suit him better. If the Germans defend as high as they did against Algeria then the French could punish them, and even heroics from sweeper keeper Neuer might not be enough to stop them. With injury problems at the back Germany will be worried, and the pre tournament loss of Marco Reus has affected them more than I would have expected. Gotze dragged off at half time versus Algeria needs to turn in a big performance if selected, and Ozil has also come in for lots of criticism, so all is certainly not rosy in the Germany camp at present. With the players they have though, it would be foolish to write off Germany, and they are well capable of rising to the occasion.

FRANCE V GERMANY: 1X2 BETTING TIPS

At the prices on offer I make France at 3.30(23/10)Coral the 1X2 betting tip on what is sure to be a close fought battle. France has been impressive in the main during this World Cup, and even the defence which I admit to being unsure of has stepped up to the plate with three clean sheets from four. Germany has done little wrong in my eyes, but has come in scorning criticism from some circles, and the French have a more settled camp which could prove vital here. I could not spilt the sides from a betting point of view, so at the odds on offer it is the French who offer up the betting value, just ahead of the draw.

Bet on France here