Preview
All eyes will be on Allianz Arena on Tuesday as Germany host France in a blockbuster Group F clash at Euro 2020.
The European powerhouses and World Cup winners of the last two editions are set to renew hostilities, although they’ve played each other quite frequently in recent times.
In the last Euros, Les Blues secured a 2-0 victory in the semi-finals. Germany held France to a goalless stalemate at home in the 2018-19 UEFA Nations League, before losing again on French soil in the return leg, going down 2-1.
However, the current world champions are widely considered favorites to go all the way again in this championship. Coach Didier Deschamps boasts an incredibly talented squad at his disposal.
Die Mannschaft are no mugs either. Packed to the rafters with elite figures, their form has nosedived in the last few years. Nothing sums this up better than their shock 2-1 loss to North Macedonia in a recent World Cup qualifier.
Joechim Loew, who’s been at the helm of affairs since 2006, is set to leave after the tournament and Germany will be hoping to give him a memorable send-off.
Group of Death
Of course, with the two nations housed in the ‘Group of Death’, the result of this fixture naturally holds many consequences. With current holders Portugal and another exciting team in Hungary also in this group, it means one top side could yet miss out on qualification. Portugal are expected to brush Hungary apart and that means France and Germany know too well the importance of three points that could count as ‘six’ today. On paper, Hungary are billed as the ‘whooping’ boys of this group but we know way too well they would likely cause an upset in one of their games. It begs the question; which two teams will proceed come the end of the group? Only time will tell.
Form Guide: France
France warmed up for the Euros with back-to-back 3-0 victories over Wales and Bulgaria but should be in for much tougher 90-minutes against the three-time European Championship winners, Germany. France are the joint-favourites to win Euro 2020, which isn’t a surprise considering they are the current World Cup holders and two-time winners of this competition. Benzema and Hernandez are both rated as doubtful to feature against Germany, which means that Everton’s Luca Digne and Chelsea’s Olivier Giroud could start on Tuesday.
Form Guide: Germany
Germany have a clean bill of health heading into their toughest game on Group F. Avoiding defeat against the Euro 2020 favourites will be the order of the day for Germany as they still have games against Hungary and Portugal to come. Germany have plenty of experience in key positions and that is likely to help them in these high-pressure games. Neuer has 100-caps to his name and will start in goal for what could be his last major international tournament, while centre-back Hummels has been here and done it all before. Kroos has made 102 appearances for his country and is a regular for Real Madrid, while Muller is a Bayern Munich legend and has chipped in with 39-goals in 102-caps for Die Mannschaft.
How the Match Could Go
This is one of the most anticipated games at Euro 2020 and France start as favorites, taking to the match not just a great run but also one of the most complete squads. Germany are also a quality side and the fact that they play at home will be key. However, they have been faltering in defense and not even playing at home has favored them, on that aspect. We don’t expect them to completely shut out France, who themselves have been great defensively, and that could be the difference in this clash. However, France remain the favorites for sure.
Tip: France to Win
This will be a tight contest with both teams looking to avoid a defeat at the start of their European Championship campaigns. A loss in the opening match will be difficult for either team to recover, as it would hand defending champions Portugal, who face Hungary in the opening game, with a huge advantage. Germany has the advantage of familiarity thanks to the game being at Allianz Arena.
France look better defensively, having kept four clean sheet victories in their last five games. German’s Joachim Low may have the confidence of previously winning the world cup before France claimed it in 2018 but a seemingly shaky defence should worry the German tactician. Germany have only two clean sheets in their last five games. Moreover, the German side have only three clean sheets in the last ten games while France have six clean sheets in the same number of games. Bet365 have 2.70 odds, Bet9ja have 2.74 and 1xbet have 2.80.
Over 2.5 goals
With so much depth the squads of both teams, we think there will be more than two goals in this match. France and Germany have some of the best strikers and midfielders in the game which gives an impression of a high score-line today. Bet9ja have 2.04 odds, Bet365 have 2.10 and 1xbet have 2.19.
Both teams to score: Yes
Both teams have top strikers in their ranks to make a difference in this game. We also expect world-class players on both ends to create moments of magic on matchday. Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann, Wissam Ben Yedder, Karim Benzema (likely to miss with an injury), Ousmane Dembele and Olivier Giroud will battle for a starting spot in France’s attacking front. On the German side, we have equally proven forwards in Timo Werner, Kevin Volland and Leroy Sane.
Both teams have enough scoring potential in the ranks to make a difference in the game. There are world-class players at both ends of the pitch to come up with a moment of magic that would end up creating a goal. Even though just two of the last five meetings between France and Germany have produced goals at both ends, for this game, we would back both teams to score. Bet9ja have 1.74 odds, Bet365 have 1.80 and 1xbet have 1.88.
Anytime Goal-scorer (France)
Antoine Griezmann
Antoine Griezmann is in top form right now, having scored eight times across his last 11 appearances for club and country. The striker comes into the tournament in excellent form having scored in both warm-up clashes, while he’s scored in four of his last five games for the national side. Not only that, but he is one of the top scoring players in the history of the Euros. The Barcelona forward is only three goals short of the all-time record having notched six goals at the European Championships, so we’re backing him to score for France in their opener. Bet365 have 3.25 odds while Bet9ja have 3.75.
Kylian Mbappe
The PSG superstar needs no introduction as to why he is included here. He won the top scorer award yet again in the just concluded Ligue 1 season and almost never disappointed when he had him in our picks to score. France might boast a plethora of attacking talent but he would no doubt remain one of the most threatening names to score. Bet365 have 2.62 odds for him to score while Bet9ja have 3.00.
Anytime Goal-scorer (Germany)
Timo Werner
Despite a mixed first season with Chelsea, Werner proved his finishing for Germany with a goal as a replacement in last Monday’s 7-1 thrashing of Latvia in a friendly, netting for the 16th time in 39 internationals. When he isn’t scoring, he brings a certain threat upfront with his pace and that might see him get the nod to start. He is a likely name to get in on the goals. Bet365 have 3.00 odds for him to score while Bet9ja have 3.75.
Serge Gnabry
Like Werner, Gnabry also found the back of the net in the 7-1 thrashing and comes into this game with good form in general, having enjoyed another stellar season for Bayern Munich. Over recent years, he has grown to be a proper attacker and he could be one to trouble the French powerhouse. Bet365 have 2.87 odds while Bet9ja have 3.75 odds as well, similar to the above.
Football Lover. All-round junkie of the beautiful game. Could be found watching football most of the time. If not he’s writing about them or making some punditry you don’t agree with. A certain bias for Arsenal and Santos FC.
