World Cup Opta Stats: Chelsea man to eliminate France

The French defence could be caused problems by Andre Schurrle

Michael Lintorn has pored over the Opta stats and expects Andre Schurrle to help send France home...

France v Germany
Friday, 17:00
Live on BBC One

Match Odds: France 3.211/5, Germany 2.588/5, The Draw 3.259/4

Germany are unbeaten in 15 internationals, longer than any other side still at the World Cup

Europe outnumber South America 4-3 on their own continent, but only one UEFA threat will survive in the top half of the draw, going on to face hosts Brazil or the outstanding CONMEBOL participants thus far, Colombia. France are open to accusations of peaking too soon having followed emphatic victories over Honduras and Switzerland with a draw against Ecuador and a struggle past Nigeria. By contrast, Germany's status as quarter-final masters, progressing from each of their five this century, hints that their best is yet to come.

Recommended Bet: Back Germany to qualify @ 1.784/5

There have been 17 goals scored in France and Germany's three previous World Cup meetings

The round-of-16 wasn't particularly goal-drenched, with just one of the eight encounters delivering over 2.5 in the standard 90 minutes. However, Germany's hour-and-a-half blank against Algeria was the exception to their usual knockout-round fare. Both of their winner-takes-all Euro 2012 affairs, in addition to all four of their World Cup 2010 latter-stage showdowns and their Euro 2008 quarter and semi-finals, served up three goals or more, as did two of their Group G ties at this World Cup.

Recommended Bet: Back over 2.5 goals @ 2.447/5

Andre Schurrle has scored five goals in his last five competitive matches for Germany

For someone still quite fresh to the international scene, not to mention required to make many of his appearances both off the bench and out wide rather than as an attacking focal point, 14 goals in 36 caps is a magnificent return. Schurrle provided the solution when his Germany teammates were unable to identify a route beyond Algeria goalkeeper Rais M'Bolhi in the round-of-16 and will have no trouble doing the same to France if presented with the opportunity either as starter or sub.

Best Bet: Back Schurrle to score @ 4.1n/a