S.P. Read Esq. Germany v France

Our daily columnist and pundit S.P.Read Esq. previews GERMANY v FRANCE (5pm, Friday).

Thank goodness I’d built up something of a bank during the World Cup as the spate of 0-0 draws has proved disastrous over the last couple of days and the profits have dropped quicker than Andy Murray’s form. The latest 0-0’er being Argentina v Switzerland.

Anyway, we move on and we’re at the Quarter Final stages of the World Cup and I’m not really any closer to working out who is going to win it.

In the first quarter final two European heavyweights slug it out.

Three times winners Germany face a resurgent French side who were in disarray four years ago after a disastrous tournament for them in South Africa.

Germany are past masters at getting the job completed even when they are not playing well and that’s exactly what they did in the first knockout match when they only just edged past Algeria.

Germany dominated possession with 67% but Joachim Low’s side failed to take their chances and it turned out to be a late, late show with all three goals coming in extra time in Germany’s 2-1 win.

France also appeared to run out of steam a little against a spirited Nigerian challenge last time but scored twice in the last 11 minutes to secure a place against Germany for this match in Rio de Janeiro (5pm LIVE ON BBC).

Honours have been pretty much even over the years….

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD
(Max last 10 only)
Feb 2013 International France 1-2 Germany
Feb 2012 International Germany 1-2 France
Nov 2005 International France 0-0 Germany
Nov 2003 International Germany 0-3 France
Feb 2001 International France 1-0 Germany
Jun 1996 International Germany 0-1 France
Mar 1937 International Germany 4-0 France
Mar 1935 International France 1-3 Germany
Mar 1933 International Germany 3-3 France
Mar 1931 International France 1-0 Germany

In terms of a bet with Star Spreads Germany are rightly (in my opinion) narrow favourites for the match and the spread on total goals also looks about right at 2.3-2.5. So I’m not sure there are too many angles in on the superiority or total goals markets at the home of sports spread betting.

There’s been a trend of late goals, so on the basis I think it will be a cagey first half I plan to buy the time of the first match goal at 41 minutes.

CLICK HERE FOR LIVE GERMANY v FRANCE MARKETS ON STAR SPREADS

RECOMMENDED BET (scale 1-100 points)

BUY TIME OF FIRST MATCH GOAL at around 41 minutes with Star Spreads for 3 points

WORLD CUP SO FAR: PROFIT 49.25 POINTS

• Any spread prices quoted are indicative and as always prices are subject to fluctuation.
• Please note the opinion, views and forecasts above are of the author and not of Star Spreads.