please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Germany defender Shkodran Mustafi has been ruled out of the rest of the World Cup with a thigh injury. Coach Joachim Low has said that seven members of his squad are suffering from flu symptoms but they should all be available for selection. France coach Didier Deschamps may select Antoine Griezmann in place of Olivier Giroud, meaning Karim Benzema would play as a central striker. Defender Mamadou Sakho has recovered from injury. [h=3]Head-to-head[/h] This is the 26th meeting between the sides. France have won 11 times, Germany eight and there have been six draws. They have met three times before at the World Cup. France won the first encounter 6-3 in the third-place play-off in 1958. The two sides drew 3-3 at the semi-final stage in 1982 before West Germany prevailed 5-4 on penalties. Four years later, West Germany won another semi-final 2-0. [h=3]France[/h] On the last five occasions that France have progressed past the first round at the World Cup, they have gone on to reach the semi-final stage (1958, 1982, 1986, 1998 and 2006). Les Bleus are now on 10 goals at this World Cup, equalling their tally from the previous three World Cup campaigns combined (2002, 2006 and 2010). All 10 of France's goals during this World Cup have come from inside the penalty area. They have lost only one of the 10 games they have ever played in Brazil (W6, D3). France have hit the woodwork six times at this World Cup, more often than any other team. They have not conceded a first-half goal in any of their last 12 games. Mathieu Valbuena completed 94% of his passes in the last round against Nigeria. Karim Benzema has had an unrivalled 13 shots on target at this World Cup ahead of the quarter-finals. [h=3]Germany[/h] Germany are contesting a quarter-final for the ninth straight World Cup. They have reached the semi-finals at the last three World Cups. No nation has ever made the last four in four successive tournaments. Germany are unbeaten in their last 15 internationals (W10, D5), the best run of any side still involved at the World Cup. They had 16 shots on goal against Algeria, as many as they had in their three group matches combined. Manuel Neuer celebrates winning a half century of caps in this game and has lost just three times in his previous 49 appearances. Toni Kroos (473) has had more touches than any other player at this World Cup so far. Team-mate Philipp Lahm (437) is the only other player to have more than 400. Thomas Muller has been directly involved in seven of Germany's last 12 goals at the World Cup (five goals, two assists). Germany had a record seven Bayern Munich players in their starting line-up against Algeria. Players from Bayern have contributed 14 goals at this World Cup - more than any other club side - Thomas Mueller (Germany) four, Arjen Robben (Netherlands) and Xherdan Shaqiri (Switzerland) three, Mario Mandzukic (Croatia) two, Mario Goetze (Germany) and Julian Green (United States) one.
Master plan for this game: sneakily watch the first half hour in the office, catch bus to St Albans, hopefully catch last half hour in nearest pub.
I put a chunk on Germany at the start at 11/2 ....sorry Joe but really hope you lose your fiver( no offence ).
Thankfully Mustafi is injured so now the defense will only be slow and addled as opposed to slow, addled and incompetent in parts. Still gonna go for Germany as my pride demands it (Also i placed a wager on em). Germany have a tendency to rise to the occasion and while France have been impressive for the most part they haven't really faced any top competition. France haven't had to come from behind yet this tournament so it would be interesting if they keep it together should Germany score first.
