France vs Germany: World Cup 2014 match preview

Read a full match preview including team news of the World Cup quarter-final between France and Germany at Estadio Maracana, Rio de Janeiro, on Friday, July 4, 2014, kick-off 17.00 (BST) 

Kick-off: 17.00 BST.
TV: BBC ONE.

France (Possible, 4-2-1-3): Lloris; Debuchy, Varane, Sakho, Evra; Matuidi, Cabaye; Pogba; Valbuena, Benzema, Griezman.

Germany (Possible, 4-3-3): Neuer; Hummels, Boateng, Mertesacker, Howedes; Schweinsteiger, Lahm, Kroos; Özil, Müller, Götze.

Referee: Nestor Pitana (Argentina).

Betting: France 11-5, Germany 7-5, Draw 2-1.

Team News
France jave a doubt over defender Raphael Varane, who spent the night in hospital with dehydration following Monday's 2-0 win over Nigeria.
Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho is fit again after knee problems.
Coach Didier Deschamps should decide between Giroud or Antoine Griezmann in attack.
Germany are without Shkodran Mustafi, who tore his hamstring against Algeria in the last-16 tie.
Christoph Kramer has had what was described by the German camp as a light fever but should be available.
And Mats Hummels, who missed the 2-1 win over Algeria with flu, has recovered and could feature as a replacement for Mustafi.
There were suggestions that Philipp Lahm could be swiitched to full-back to cover for Mustafi, as he did after the defender went off against Algeria, but that appears unlucky.
Lukas Podolski should be available after a thigh problem.
Match Notes
These European rivals know each other well and the rivalry goes back to 1931, but they last met in the World Cup in 1986 when West Germany won 2-0 in the semi-final.
Previously was the infamous game that ended in a penalty shoot-out after a 3-3 draw and the incident in which France's Patrick Battiston was shoulder-charged by German keeper Harald Schumacher.
France say they are fired up for the tie and the prospect of playing Brazil or Colombia in the semi-final.
Certainly there is a unity within the French squad rarely witnessed in recent tournaments, and that could carry them through.
Stat of the game: In 25 previous clashes, France have won 11 to Germany's eight successes, with six drawn. In terms of goals scored, Germany have the edge, with 42 to France's 41.