Prediction: France vs Germany

Verdict: France win

Best Odds: 17/10

Bookmaker: Unibet

In what is a mouthwatering showdown on Tuesday night, Germany and France will face off in Munich for their opening Group F matchup at the Allianz Arena.

France

Starting with France, managing to sign off their friendly preparations last week with a pair of thumping 3-0 victories against Wales and Bulgaria, it is no secret that the defending world champions are tipped as the standout contender this summer. Managing to build off of their success out in Russia three years ago, Les Bleus will be hoping to lay down a real marker on foreign soil. Mustering back-to-back wins against Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kazakhstan when finishing March’s World Cup qualifiers, Didier Deschamps’ side have won each of their last four matchups on the bounce. Welcoming back Real Madrid star Karim Benzema to their squad for the first time since 2016, their long-standing boss will also be excited by his side’s continued displays on the road. Including a 1-0 win when they faced off against defending European champions Portugal in the Nations League back in November, Tuesday’s guests have won each of their last eight fixtures on foreign soil, conceding just a single goal.

Team News

In a real boost for France, Karim Benzema has returned to training with his teammates after shaking off a dead leg he suffered in a friendly meeting against Wales last week.

Both Antoine Griezmann and Raphael Varane have also been given the green light to feature after overcoming some small knocks.

Germany

As for Germany, while The Whites might open Tuesday’s showdown as the guests on paper, there is no doubt that the former world champions should be backed by some noisy home support. With it already confirmed that Head Coach Joachim Löw will stand down at the end of this summer’s tournament, their soon-to-be departing boss would have been glad to see his side land a much-needed victory last week. Signing off their preparations with a thumping and expected 7-1 romp against Latvia on home soil, Germany are still trying to fully bounce back from that infamous defeat in Duisburg earlier in the year. Left stunned as they watched North Macedonia pick up a shocking 2-1 victory back in March’s World Cup qualifiers, Löw’s side have gained a reputation for their extended inconsistencies. Including that woeful 6-0 drumming at the hands of Spain nine months ago, Nationalelf have won just six of their last 13 matchups across all formats.

Team News

As expected Jonas Hofmann will miss out on Tuesday night with a knee injury and he could be joined on the sidelines by Leon Goretzka.

Making a scoring return to international duties against Latvia last week, Bayern Munich forward Thomas Muller looks set to get the nod at his home ground.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two nations last faced off in the Nations League back in 2018, France picked up a 2-1 victory.
• Les Bleus have won each of their last eight away fixtures on the bounce, conceding just a single goal.
• Aside from that thumping win against Latvia last week, Germany have won just six of their last 13 matchups across all formats.
• Eight of Germany’s last 10 fixtures on home soil have finished with both teams finding the net.
• France are unbeaten in each of their last five meetings against Nationalelf, recording three wins and two draws.

Conclusion

While Germany might have managed to land themselves a much-needed thumping win against Latvia last week, The Whites have struggled with their consistency since their disappointing run out in Russia three years ago. Stunning many across Europe as they suffered that shock 2-1 defeat at the hands of North Macedonia back in March, France should be looking to lay down a real marker when they travel to Munich on Tuesday night. Knowing that an early start is exactly what is needed in an incredibly tough Group F, the defending world champions have continued to impress on foreign soil. Winning each of their last eight straight away fixtures and conceding just a single run on that purple patch, we’re backing The Blues to open their campaign with a flurry in midweek.

Verdict: France win

Best Odds: 17/10

Bookmaker: Unibet