Topics: Germany, France, Live Stream, TV Schedules, Live Scores, World Cup 2014, FIFA World Cup 2014
Two heavyweights from UEFA will battle it out; France will want to prove they have matured while Germany will try to advance to their fourth consecutive semifinal.

Joachim Löw's side has not played well ever since their opener against Portugal. And this might be down to the coach's decisions. His reluctance to play Sami Khedira and Bastian Schweinsteiger together in light of injuries is understandable; however, the pair functioned very well against Algeria. He is using Philipp Lahm in midfield. It is clear to everybody that the back line needs their captain to hold it together. Indeed, when Lahm moved back against Algeria, the team gelled properly. 

However, Löw has a history of being stubborn. He started the tournament with four central defenders at the back and will perhaps continue to move forward in that manner. Luckily for him, Mats Hummels is back. In Hummels' absence, Manuel Neuer had to act as a one man defense from time to time to stop the side from conceding against Algeria. Löw did acknowledge one error in the match itself by taking off an off-form Mario Götze and playing the on-form Andre Schürrle instead. Götze might not play too many more minutes.

On the other hand, he refused to to take off the invisible man on the other wing, Mesut Özil. Özil has played on the wing before; perhaps the system that Germany is currently employing is hampering him. Whatever the reason, Özil has offered very little in this tournament, trying to be too perfect at times on the ball. Löw is set to continue to play the Arsenal player in the quarterfinals. He will have to make do without Skhodran Mustafi who is out of the tournament following his injury against Algeria.

Germany, in 2006 as well as in 2010, played much better en route to the quarterfinals. Perhaps, this is France's chance to stop them from reaching a fourth consecutive semifinal. The French, while not wonderful, have been effective. Aside from a draw against Ecuador, they have deserved to be victorious in the rest of their matches. This French team seems to have a very good work ethic unlike those of the past. Even in the absence of their best player, a certain Franck Ribery, France have performed well.

They have not displayed any weakness for Germany to exploit. Didier Deschamps must surely have seen the large gaps in the German back line; Karim Benzema, Paul Pogba and the rest of the attack will easily be able to pounce if Germany do not find the balance between attacking and defending. Also, with 120 minutes under their belt, the Germans might be more tired than the French.

While Löw's team cannot be discounted just yet, one of Germany's golden generations it seems is underperforming massively. The French will definitely enjoy the benefits of that if Germany does not recover come Friday.

Who do you think will win this match?

Where to watch the match: Live Streams, Live Scores, Start Times, TV Channels:

Watch France vs Germany live on Friday, July 4, 2014:

In the US at 12.00 EST on:

In Canada at 12.00 ET on:

In the UK at 17.00 BST on:

In Australia at 02:00 (Saturday) on: 

For complete details of match listings and live scores, visit the France vs Germany match page.

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