Germany vs France – Friendly – Match Preview – An absolute blockbuster international friendly is in store as World Champions Germany clash with European Championships runners-up France in Cologne.
Joachim Low’s Germany will be seeking revenge for the Euro 2016 semi-final exit at the hands of France, an Antonine Greizmann brace sending the hosts to the final in the massive 2-0 win.
Die Mannschaft have been their usual relentless selves since that crushing defeat, remaining undefeated in their last 20 games after cruising through their World Cup qualification group.
An uninspiring 0-0 draw with an unusually young England team left a lot to be desired, and a victory over one of the favourites in Russia next year will re-establish Germany as top dogs, if they weren’t already.
Werner (right) is likely to lead the attack against France Photo Credit: skysports.com
France’s road to Russia was also relatively trouble-free, topping a group that included Sweden and a lacklustre Netherlands before beginning their preparations with a comfortable 2-0 win over Wales on Friday night – Griezmann and Giroud the goal-scorers on this occasion.
Didier Deschamps has been given a new contract until 2020, and many French supporters are questioning the decision. This has only seen to ramp up the pressure on delivering results, losing to Portugal in the Euro 2016 final was seen as a disappointment and with such an outstanding squad at his disposal success at the World Cup is imperative.
Like European rivals Germany, imposing themselves by beating one of the planet’s best teams could go a long way in obtaining positive momentum heading into next year’s showpiece stage.
Griezmann scored in the last friendly over Wales Photo Credit: skysports.com
It is not often a team can say they have won their previous matches against Germany, but in Les Blues case, it is true – the 2-0 mentioned above and a win by the same score-line in a 2015 friendly. Even rarer is France’s ability to say they have won their last two fixtures away to Germany too, 2-1 in 2012 and 3-0 in 2003.
There is an array of world-class talent on display and this will be an unmissable match where two of the true heavyweights of European and world football battle for superiority.
Team News
The German media’s new golden boy Timo Werner could be set to start up front again as Low looks to address an area of his side that has plagued him in recent years. Sami Khedira, Bernd Leno, Lars Stindl and Mario Gotze could also feature after being left on the bench against England. Notable is the fact the majority of the squad play in the native Bundesliga and that even without stalwarts such as Manuel Neuer and Jerome Boateng just how strong the team still is.
With the vast attacking options available to Deschamps, players like Nabil Fekir, Anthony Martial and Alexandre Lacazette could be rotated in to the side.
Barcelona’s Lucas Digne, PSG’s Adrien Rabiot and Tottenham Hotspur’s Moussa Sissoko are all players that further signify France’s strength in depth that are hoping to get some game-time.
Suggested Tips
- Skybet Correct Score Group Betting – 1-1, 2-2 or 3-3 Draw – 3/1
- Skybet First Goalscorer – Timo Werner – 9/2
- Skybet To Score and Draw – Kylian Mbappe – 11/1
- Skybet Both Teams to Score in the 2nd Half – Yes – 9/4
