Everyone expected these two behemoths of women's soccer to meet here when the draw was announced and neither have disappointed with Germany cruising through their group and the Round of 16 with ease.
Meanwhile France bounced back from a stunning loss to Colombia to put their last Group Stage match with Mexico and their Round of 16 match against South Korea out of reach early and have looked like the team we expected them to be at the start of the tournament.
ODDS ANALYSIS
For the first time in the tournament, the Germans aren't odds on favorites to win at the end of regulation at +110 on the betting line and it's very possible this will be the best price you get on them during the Women's World Cup.
On the Asian Handicap line, the French are +0.5 (-130) and the total for this match is 2 (over -142).
QUOTE TO NOTE
"We’d put in a lot of tactical work, and we put our opponents under great pressure. We came up short against Colombia, but the great strength of this team is its resolve. This result, on the back of the Mexico victory, is a real confidence boost." -Philippe Bergeroo, France coach
RECENT FORM
Germany have looked downright dominant in this tournament and fully deserving of their #1 ranking in the world prior to the start of the Women's World Cup. The Germans cruised through group play outscoring their opponents by a combined score of 15-1 and even though they drew Norway, managed an astounding 27 shots in the match. Some expected Germany to have a bit of a test against a very good Swedish side but the ladies from the Deutschland dominating from beginning to end.
France was ranked 3rd in the world at the start of the tournament and aside from a misstep against Colombia, have looked as good as advertised. In their Round of 16 match against South Korea, the French struck twice within the first eight minutes of the game before going on cruise control en route to a 3-0 win.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
It's a shame that one of these two teams won't make the semifinals despite being one of the top teams in the world. France has done it thus far with exceptional passing from their midfielders which has led to easy goals for wide open teammates with just the keeper to beat. F Eugenie Le Sommer and MF Amandine Henry are two of the best in the world and have proved it thus far, but will need help from supremely talented MF Louisa Necib if they are to knock off the German giants.
The German team is a juggernaut on offense with F Anja Mittag pacing the attack. Mittag has netted five goals and two assists in four matches and her relentless, swarming style of play mirrors her team's. However, if there is one area where Germany is vulnerable, it's the back four. A mixture of youth, inexperience, and injury has been shielded so far by a powerful attack but France is the first team in the tournament that will test this back four and see exactly what they are made of. Making matters worse, the German back line will be without Saskia Bartusiak after picking up her second yellow card of the tournament against Sweden.
Make no mistake, France is a very live dog in this game and may have the best chance of any team at knocking off the Germans. However, seeing Germany annihilate Sweden makes us at BookMaker believe that this is Germany's tournament to lose.
The winner of this match will play the winner of US-China.
Germany 2, France 1
The women's World Cup lines for this contest were first released by BookMaker Sportsbook with Germany lined at +110 to win the match in regular time and a total of 2 (over -142). Since this game can be seen by anyone with a TV, BookMaker will have a multitude of wagering options available for it. Outside of the normal lines, you can gamble on real-time moneylines, spreads and totals. Live betting is open during every step of this match!
Need to fund your account before the big game but don’t have your computer? No problem! BookMaker Sportsbook now offers a mobile betting cashier so you can deposit money directly from your smartphone. Don’t miss out on getting paid because you couldn’t bet. Click here and deposit at BookMaker now! The fixture between Germany and France is scheduled for Friday, June 26, 2015 at 4:00 p.m. ET at Olympic Stadium in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The match will be televised live on FOX.
