Two bitter rivals kick-start the quarter-final action in World Cup 2014. Germany almost always reaches the semi-final stage of all the tournaments they take part. France tends to gain momentum when they cross the early rounds and is difficult to stop at the higher rounds. And there is bit history between the two.

France-Germany Preview

The memories of a notorious world cup campaign in 1982 will haunt Germany for the second straight match. It was a world cup in which Germany and Austria ‘fixed’ a match to oust Algeria, whom they beat in the previous round of this tournament. In the 1982 event, they met France in the semi-final. That match witnessed one of the most infamous incidents on a football ground: German goal keeper Harald Schumacher launched into French striker Patrick Battiston with a kung-fu kick that sent the French striker into an instant coma.

That Schumacher escaped without any punishment and Germany went on to win the match in penalties – the first ever penalty shoot-out in world cups – did not go well in the French public. Now, all that is history.

Germany has the upper hand in H2H stats in the team – not just in world cups, overall too. But France dominates the recent head-to-head meetings between the two, having registered four wins in the last six matches.

Both the teams started the tournament with some emphatic performances. They have not managed to keep up the tempo in the recent matches.

Players

There are some exciting players in both the sides. The French players appear more cohesive and seem to punch above their collective weight. Antoine Griezmann is likely to start with Karim Benzema, as Olivier Giroud tends to struggle against tough defences even when he plays for Arsenal. Mathieu Debuchy and born-again Paul Pogba too will cause problems to strangely timid German defence. Manuel Neuer will be severely tested.

However, The German strike-force led by Thomas Muller can outscore the French.

France-Germany Prediction

This will be a clash of wills rather than a clash of soccer skills. Skill-wise, there is nothing to choose between the sides. Germany, always a mentally superior side, is likely to emerge victorious.

Germany to Qualify 1.70 @ Bet365

France-Germany Live Audio Stream

You can listen and bet on France-Germany live at bet365.com

1) Go to Bet365.com website

2) Sign in or register if you dont have an account

3) Go to Live in-play section