France host world champions Germany in a friendly fixture on Friday night, as Les Tricolores continue their preparations for hosting Euro 2016 next year.

Joachim Loew's Germany came through the qualification period despite a rough patch and they will be aiming to reclaim some authority on the European stage with a victory away from home.

France

France's preparations for hosting Euro 2016 have continued away from the competitive spotlight, with a number of friendlies scheduled in place of the usual qualification process.

Les Bleus have looked fairly impressive in the run of games in the build-up to the looming fixture with World Cup holders Germany, in which France have been able to notch five victories from eight games that stretch back to March.

A notable win was achieved against Portugal, but Didier Deschamps and his charges did fall to consecutive defeats at the hands of Belgium and Albania.

Since those losses, however, next year's hosts have put together four straight wins as Deschamps continues to seek out his best starting XI for when things get underway next summer.

The visit of Germany should provide the French coach with a stern test, and fans might finally get to see a side that could potentially open up the country's Euro 2016 campaign.

Given the lightweight nature of some of France's previous fixtures, facing Germany should provide the country with a real challenge against a side that proved destructive at the last major international tournament in Brazil two summers ago.

Recent form: LLWWWW

Germany

Joachim Loew's Germany have arguably looked devoid of some of the killer instinct that proved vital in Brazil, and they only gained automatic progression into Euro 2016 by the skin of their teeth last month.

A late defeat to the Republic of Ireland meant that the Germans had to beat Georgia in their final game, which they did eventually do by grinding out a 2-1 victory in Leipzig.

A number of players will know that they will need to impress in the coming months in order to reassert their place in the Germany side and none more so than Marco Reus, who missed a hatful of chances against Georgia. However, the winger will have to wait to overcome an injury before he can represent his country again.

The friendly could present opportunities to the likes of Max Kruse, who came off the bench to score in the country's qualification-clinching win, while veteran frontman Mario Gomez has also been recalled by Loew.

One major plotline that could develop on Friday involves the rising presence of Leroy Sane, who has been impressing for Schalke in the Bundesliga this term and has now been given his first ever chance to represent the senior German side.

The result of Friday's fixture might not mean too much in the grand scheme of things, but Loew will be keen to instil more confidence into his side following some rough performances of late, while the visit to France could also give him some idea of what his whole squad is made of.

Recent form: LWWWLW

Team News

As mentioned, Gomez could get the chance to start for the world champions, while Sane will be aiming to gain some game-time at the top level of international football.

Kruse might just get the chance to start up top, but there is no place for either Mario Gotze or Reus who miss out through injury.

The expected absences of Karim Benzema and Mathieu Valbuena could hand chances to Ben Arfa and Antoine Griezmann to further their calls for solid spots in the side.

Looking ahead to next year, Anthony Martial will be aiming to continue his development at senior level, while Deschamps has also given a nod to rising Bayern Munich forward Kingsley Coman.

France possible starting lineup:
Lloris; Sagna, Varane, Koscielny, Evra; Schneiderlin, Pogba, Matuidi; Griezmann, Giroud, Martial

Germany possible starting lineup:
Neuer; Ginter, Boateng, Hummels, Hector; Gundogan, Schweinsteiger; Muller, Draxler, Schurrle; Gomez

Head To Head

The sides last met in a decisive clash at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, where Germany knocked France out at the quarter-final stage with a 1-0 win at the Maracana. Germany also rose victorious in the game prior to that, which saw the Germans win 2-1 in a friendly fixture in Saint-Denis. France do have some fond memories against Germany in recent times, however, given that Les Bleus have won three against the Germans across their last six meetings.

We say: France 2-2 Germany

Both sides will be eager to make a statement in the build-up to the tournament, especially when you take into account that France are the hosts and that Germany are the current champions of world football. Loew and Deschamps will be keen to begin assembling their perfect starting XIs for next summer, which could mean that spectators get to see some youngsters given a chance during the contest.