Germany vs. France Predictions: Can Alexandra Popp the French bubble?

Eight-time European Champions Germany take on a France side seeking to make their first major final on Wednesday night (8pm). Stadium MK plays host to the semi-final clash which promises to be a cracker between two teams with high hopes of winning the Euro 2022 trophy. Below we've picked out two tips for the game.

Germany have been victorious in all four of their matches at Euro 2022, including group stage wins over pre-tournament favourites Spain and 2017 runners-up Denmark, and are the only team who have yet to concede a single goal this tournament. The Germans have won eight of the 12 editions of the Euros - and six of the last seven - making them many people’s pick for glory in England.

Meanwhile, France overcame their quarter-final jinx - a stage which they had come unstuck at in each of the last three Euros - to deservedly beat defending champions Netherlands 1-0 in extra-time. They accumulated 33 shots, 13 of which were on goal, while their opponents mustered just the one shot on target in 120 minutes. It's a result and performance which should give them buckets of confidence.

Germany head into the semi-final as the narrow 13/8 favourites to win in 90 minutes and 20/23 to progress, with France priced at 9/5 in normal time and evens to make it through. Alternatively a draw in normal time can be backed at 11/5.

Germany are the narrow favourites for this one, and while I believe they will make it through to the Final, I’m not confident enough to say it will be in 90 minutes. 

France will offer one all mighty test in the last-four, but the Germans have the form, experience and pedigree to overcome this talented Les Bleus outfit, which is why I prefer the safety blanket of backing them to progress via any means, at a best-priced 20/23 with Paddy Power.

Die Nationalelf have won all four of their Euro 2022 matches to date, often in clinical fashion, while their defence has yet to be breached. They also have the excellent Alexandra Popp in scintillating form - more on her in a moment - and have history within their sights as they chase a record-equalling ninth Euros triumph.

The Germans simply know how to get the job done, as has been the case in each of the last six Euros semi-finals, while they’ve beaten France in all four major tournament meetings, at both the Euros and World Cup.

Furthermore, I like bet365’s 12/1 for Germany to win in extra-time.

If anyone can pop the French bubble it’s Alexandra (sorry, that was a bad one). But let’s be honest here, Popp is in superb form right now as she makes up for lost time having missed the last two Euros due to injury. 

In-form Popp, who helped Germany win gold at the 2016 Olympics, has now scored in each of her country’s four games at Euro 2022, meaning she’s bang in the mix for the Golden Boot; a race which is currently led by England’s Beth Mead (five goals). 

Popp is sure to have chances to catch - and even surpass - Mead in the semi-final so at 9/4 the prolific striker is well worth backing again to extend her streak to five goals in five matches (in 90 mins).