France vs. Germany Predictions: Mbappe at +230 to score

On paper, the best game of the first round of games is the final one. Favorites France travel to Germany in what could be a barnburner of a game. Neil Monnery takes a look at the match-up…

Location: Munich, Germany

Date: Tuesday, June 15.

Kick Off Time: 3PM ET

TV: ESPN

I’m not sure any of the other 23 nations represented at Euro 2020 have the depth of quality when it comes to attack minded players then the French. When Karim Benzema was brought back into the fold after six years away from international football - it swelled those numbers even more. With the likes of Marcus Thuram expected to be buried deep on the depth chart up front - at the same time when he’s being heavily linked with Spurs’ in the EPL as a potential replacement for Harry Kane - it says everything about their options.

We have to of course talk about Kylian Mbappe. These are his total goal numbers for the past three seasons at domestic level - 39, 30 and 42. Yeah that is fair to say pretty darn good. It is staggering to me that he’s still only 22 years of age and his best years are still very much ahead of him.

One thing to note about this squad however is not everything is sweetness and light in the camp. A brewing feud between Mbappe and Olivier Giroud could easily destabilize things.

When you look at their midfield you see N’Golo Kante - who might just be the best defensive midfielder of his generation - anchoring things with the likes of Paul Pogba and Adrien Rabiot playing either side of him.

Flipping over to the German side and we know that manager Joachim Low is stepping down after a mammoth 15-year spell in charge of the national side. He led them to World Cup glory in 2014 and is clearly a masterful head coach. Some say his legacy is on the line but I wouldn’t go that far. Even a bad Euro 2021 won;t change what he’s done in the past.

The biggest problem he has however is the lack of a great center-forward. Timo Werner has not played well since his move to the EPL last season. Even in the Champions League final he should’ve scored twice but converted neither guilt-edged opportunity. His lack of goal scoring prowess concerns me greatly. Serge Gnabry and Kevin Volland aren’t outstanding options either.

With Thomas Muller returning to the squad, they do have a very experienced front man who Low may well turn to. Kai Havertz and Leroy Sane can provide the width but they too have not had great domestic campaigns.

Picks: Sportsbooks have the moneyline odds pretty even. France are best priced +170, Germany +190 with the tie +220. I do think the French are rightly the favorites but in an opening game, away from home, I don’t think I can back them.

Most pundits think this will be a tight game but I reckon it might be a bit more open. Over 2.5 goals is +120 with William Hill in NJ, which is a pretty bet.

Kylian Mbappe is also +230 to score at any time which looking at his recent goal scoring form is a great player prop price. You can get +230 with Resorts Casino in NJ.