Sports Mole previews Wednesday's Women's European Championship clash between Germany Women and France Women, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Germany Women are aiming to win their ninth European Championship title, but before they can contemplate lifting the silverware, they must negotiate a semi-final encounter against France Women at Stadium MK on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Corinne Diacre's side have already made history by reaching their first European Championship semi-final, but they still have dreams of clinching a place in the Women's Euro 2022 final.

Match preview

Germany Women's Alexandra Popp celebrates scoring their fourth goal with teammates on July 8, 2022 © Reuters

Germany have been in impressive form throughout the tournament, scoring 11 goals in their four games, while they are yet to concede.

They began the tournament with a 4-0 win over Denmark before Spain and Finland were also brushed aside as Germany eased to top spot.

Austria awaited the eight-time European champions in the quarter-final, and they made a fine start, with Lina Magull opening the scoring in the 25th minute.

Although they faced a fightback from Austria - who hit the woodwork on a number of occasions - Germany held firm before Alex Popp benefitted from a Manuela Zinsberger mistake to wrap up a 2-0 victory.

After negotiating a tricky quarter-final tie, the record European Championship winners will look forward to Wednesday's semi-final where they will have the chance to maintain their unbeaten record against France at major tournaments.

Martina Voss-Tecklenburg's side will also draw confidence from the fact that they are unbeaten in their previous six European Championship semi-finals.

France Women's Grace Geyoro celebrates scoring their fifth goal with Eve Perisset to complete her hat-trick on July 10, 2022 © Reuters

While Germany are aiming to win their ninth European Championship trophy, France are dreaming about winning a major tournament for the first time.

In contrast to their opponents, France conceded in every group game, but their quality in attack ensured that they progressed to the quarter-finals with minimal fuss.

Italy were dispatched by a comprehensive 5-1 scoreline before France clinched a narrow 2-1 victory over Belgium to guarantee top spot in their group after two games.

A 1-1 draw with Iceland wrapped up the group stage, and another cagey contest played out in the quarter-finals when France faced defending champions Netherlands.

With the encounter still goalless after 90 minutes, the quarter-final tie was decided in extra time when Eve Perisset held her nerve to dispatch her spot kick in the 102nd minute.

Diacre will now try to mastermind a win in France's first semi-final appearance at the European Championships, where they will also bid to extend an 18-game unbeaten run.

Although their head-to-head record against Germany at major tournaments leaves a lot to be desired, France may take inspiration from the 1-0 win that they recorded in the most recent meeting between the two nations in June 2021.

Germany Women Women's European Championship form:

Germany Women form (all competitions):

France Women Women's European Championship form:

France Women form (all competitions):

Germany Women's Lea Schuller celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on February 17, 2022 © Reuters

Germany will be forced into one change after Klara Buhl tested positive for COVID-19, which could present Jule Brand with a starting opportunity.

Felicitas Rauch and Lena Oberdorf returned from suspension to start against Austria, and the pair are set to retain their places in the side for the semi-final.

Meanwhile, the resilient centre-back pairing of Kathrin Hendrich and Marina Hegering will bid to keep Germany's fifth consecutive clean sheet of the tournament.

As for France, they are also likely to opt for continuity, with Diacre set to name an unchanged starting XI for Wednesday's contest.

Griedge Mbock will partner Wendie Renard in central defence and the pair will have their work cut out to restrict a Germany side that have scored at least two goals in every game at the tournament.

In the absence of Marie-Antoinette Katoto - who sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury in France's second group game - a front three made up of Kadidiatou Diani, Delphine Cascarino and Melvine Malard will look to provide the goal threat.

Germany Women possible starting lineup:
Frohms; Gwinn, Hendrich, Hegering, Rauch; Magull, Oberdorf, Dabritz; Huth, Brand, Popp

France Women possible starting lineup:
Peyraud-Magnin; Perisset, Mbock, Renard, Karchaoui; Geyoro, Bilbault, Toletti; Diani, Cascarino, Malard

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We say: Germany Women 2-1 France Women

Germany have been in fine form across all areas of the pitch throughout the tournament, and we expect the record European Championship winners to draw upon their historic success at the tournament to edge out France on Wednesday.

Data Analysis

Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Germany Women win with a probability of 50.39%. A win for France Women had a probability of 28.89% and a draw had a probability of 20.7%.

The most likely scoreline for a Germany Women win was 2-1 with a probability of 8.68%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 3-1 (6.23%) and 2-0 (5.41%). The likeliest France Women win was 1-2 (6.48%), while for a drawn scoreline it was 1-1 (8.07%). The actual scoreline of 2-1 was predicted with an 8.7% likelihood. Our team at Sports Mole and our data analysis both correctly predicted a 2-1 win for Germany Women in this match.