France vs Germany: Griezmann looks set to get off the mark
Published:Germany head into this all-European World Cup quarter final as the slight favourites for victory but the reality is that it’s their French opponents who appear to be building up momentum while Die Mannschaft run out of steam.
Priced at 29/20 to win in 90 minutes, Joachim Loew’s team are also 8/11 to qualify for the next round with Ladbrokes while Didier Deschamps’ men can be backed at 11/10 to progress to the semi-finals and 2/1 to win on the night.
It’s all shaping up to be an interesting encounter and in the spirit of the occasion here are three rather eye-catching tips for those who believe in Les Bleus.
Both France and Germany made a sluggish start to proceedings in the second round, with their respective opening halves against Nigeria and Algeria producing no goals.
That was the third consecutive game in which Joachim Loew’s side have gone in 0-0 at the break and with 0-0 half-time scorelines in Les Bleus last two games, there’s never been a better time to back the same outcome, with six of the eight second round games played going in goalless at the interval.
Die Mannschaft looked defensively shaky against Algeria and, while no offence is intended to the Fennec Foxes, a more experienced team could have put Germany to the sword given their slow, high defensive line which was exposed time and time again.
France could be the side to do that and, aside from the 0-0 no-show against Ecuador, Les Bleus have been banging in the goals for fun with between two and three netted in three of their four fixtures at this World Cup so far. If Germany put in a repeat of the performance that saw them squeeze past the North African team, then France may just do the job.
One of the big reasons behind France’s poor first half show against Nigeria was the decision to start with Olivier Giroud, a mistake Didier Deschamps rectified on the hour mark with the introduction of Antoine Griezmann.
We’ve already spoken at length about what the 23-year-old can offer to Les Bleus but he’s certainly worth backing to score here having already hit the bar against Honduras. Griezmann also came close to scoring France’s second against the Super Eagles with Joseph Yobo stepping in front at the key moment to put the ball in his own net.
Pacy, skilful and capable of cutting inside, Griezmann will be out to show the 23 goals he scored in Spain last season was no fluke and a sluggish Germany could be the ones to suffer.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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