Venue: Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro Date: Friday, 4 July Kick-off: 17:00 BST Coverage: BBC One, BBC Sport website and BBC Radio 5 live Likely line ups - http://www.whoscored.com/Matches/838669/Preview/International-FIFA-World-Cup-2014-France-Germany This is a re-play of a classic North European derby encounter - one of the greatest matches ever and a bruising encounter: [video=youtube;8V5ZGUXpH4I]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8V5ZGUXpH4I[/video] German 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 France v Germany Head-to-Head ⢠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. France ⢠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. Germany ⢠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. ⢠Thomas Muller has been directly involved in seven of Germany's last 12 goals at the World Cup (five goals, two assists). MOST RECENT MEETING France 1-2 Germany (February 2013) BOOKIES ODDS France 2/1, Draw 9/4, Germany 6/4
I fancy France to do it, they are my dark horse, well organised and effective in the final third, hope they do it, my prediction 2-1 to France, but then it could well be 3-2 to France, either way I hope they win.......................
Hopefully they'll both go for it and not play out a cagey borefest. Can't call this one, could go any way.
I'm really don't know who will take this one. Been saving my breath for this match. I consider this the climax of the tournament so far!
If mes garcons play the way they did against the Swiss I expect a win. Germans have been well dodgy at the back imo and I can see the nippy French getting at Mertersacker with their pace. 2-1 France.
Germany have (allegedly) had a few players ill this week - but I think they'll have enough in the tank to scrape through
Goallllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll against the run of play too..
