Germany vs France predictions: Hosts can secure small consolation
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- Germany lost 2-1 to Portugal in the first semi-final
- France beaten 5-4 by Spain in the second semi-finals
- Recommended bet: Germany to win and both teams to score
Neither Germany nor France wished to be playing in the Nations League third-place play-off in Stuttgart, but it is still a good opportunity for the respective managers to test their squads against top-grade opposition as the season closes.
France needed to fight their way through a nine-goal thriller against Spain on Thursday, while Germany, who have hosted the semi-finals this week, will want to go out on a high after seeing their lead unravel against Portugal in the other last-four clash.
Team news
With the prize of Nations League glory having slipped by, both teams look set to make changes to test squad members with Germany expected to bring back striker Niclas Fullkrug to lead their line.
Rayan Cherki was impressive after replacing Michael Olise in the second half of the semi-final against Spain, getting on the scoresheet and he may be given a chance to shine for France from the start.
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The stats
Both teams have scored in six of Germany's last eight matches, while their defeat to Portugal was the first they had suffered in their last 17 outings.
France have found the net in eight of their last 10 matches and there have been at least two goals in nine of those 10 Les Bleus' games.
Prediction
Germany and France will have been disappointed not to have made it through to the final of the Nations League, but this is not the usual waste of time third-place game as it gives them an opportunity to test themselves against another top team.
It could be though that Germany, who will host this game in Stuttgart, are the ones more motivated to put on a show in front of their own supporters and they also benefit from the fact they have had an extra day's rest than their opponents.
While the hosts have to cope with the fact that Florian Wirtz’s goal was gazumped by strikes from Francisco Conceicao and Cristiano Ronaldo, they have had extra time to deal with that defeat, while France will be back in action just 72 hours after their unsuccessful attempt to stop Spain's rapid passing game in a 5-4 defeat.
That scoreline perhaps does not do the game justice even though there was little between the teams in terms of expected goals, but three of France's strikes came in the final 11 minutes when they were already struggling.
It looks set to be another lively affair and, with no prize to play for, it could prove an open affair, so go for the home side to get the job done, but with the World Cup runners-up also finding the net.
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