The stage is set for a thrilling encounter as Germany takes on France in Stuttgart for the **third place** play-off of the UEFA Nations League. While this may not be the finale either nation envisioned, the historical rivalry between these two football giants guarantees a match filled with passion and intensity.
Germany’s journey to this match saw them fall short against Portugal in the semi-finals, despite an encouraging start thanks to Florian Wirtz’s stunning header. However, a remarkable comeback from the Portuguese, featuring sensational goals from Francisco Conceicao and Cristiano Ronaldo, left Germany handing over the tie. After a lackluster second half, they will be eager to restore their pride against the French.
Turning to France, they too have their own regrets following a nail-biting **5-4 defeat to Spain** in their semi-final clash. Armed with an attacking prowess but a shaky defense, Didier Deschamps’ men will look to bounce back and exploit any weakness in the German line-up.
Betting Outlook: Who Holds the Edge?
As the bookies weigh in, Germany currently stands as **slight favorites** at 5/4, largely due to the home advantage. France, however, is not far behind with odds of 7/5, while a draw is available at 13/5. With so much at stake, every betting angle is worth considering.
Head-to-Head: A Changing Tide?
Historically, this matchup has seen its ups and downs. Germany has come out on top in their last two encounters, both friendly matches, but prior to that, France had an impressive unbeaten streak against them, lasting six games. **Will Germany keep their momentum, or will France fight back to reclaim their dominance?**
Key Players to Watch: Spotlight on the Stars
One player who shone brightly in France’s recent thrilling semi-final was **Rayan Cherki**, whose electrifying performance off the bench featured a spectacular goal and an assist. Cherki is poised to start and is priced at **21/20 with Bet365** to either score or provide an assist in this game.
For Germany, expect **Nicklas Fullkrug** to make a significant impact after being subbed in during the semi-final. He’s valued at **21/10 with BoyleSports** for anytime scorer, making him a potential game-changer.
Projected Line-ups
Both teams are anticipated to rotate their squad, which could lead to surprises on the field:
Germany: Ter Stegen, Kehrer, Raum, Tah, Kimmich, Andrich, Pavlovic, Gosens, Gnabry, Adeyemi, Fullkrug
France: Maignan, Pavard, Konate, Bade, T. Hernandez, Tchouameni, Guendouzi, Zaire-Emery, Cherki, Barcola, Mbappe
Additional Insights: What to Expect?
With both teams having participated in thrilling semi-finals, fans can expect another high-scoring encounter. Merging the option of both teams to score with over **2.5 goals** is currently priced at 8/13, while over **1.5 first-half goals** stands at 23/20.
French attackers made their mark with a staggering **24 attempts on goal** in their last match, signaling a likely over**1.5 goals** for France at 5/6 with BoyleSports, and over **5.5 French shots on target** appeals at 6/5 with Unibet.
Despite the semi-finals being intense, there’s a possibility that the intensity may slightly drop for this fixture. It could be worthwhile to bet against a high number of cards if this market becomes available.
Germany vs France Betting Tips & Predictions
Rayan Cherki goal or assist
21/20
Bet365
Over 1.5 first-half goals
23/20
BoyleSports
Over 5.5 France shots on target
6/5
UniBet
