One of this year’s Groups of Death, Group G, will come to life on June 16 when Germany and Portugal kick-off in what will surely be one of the best games of the group stage. As discussed in our group preview, Portugal will likely be Germany’s main challengers for top spot, and a win against the Germans will certainly strengthen their claim. But with Cristiano Ronaldo’s participation in doubt, the Portuguese will need a complete team effort to take down a very talented German outfit.
Do the Portuguese stand any chance against the Germans with Ronaldo at less than 100%? Create a betting account and read on for all the ins and outs that will define which bet is the most profitable on this huge game.
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Portugal vs. Germany, World Cup 2014, Group Stage Betting Preview and Prediction
[sc:Soccer240banner ]Portugal’s chances in this game – and this entire tournament – are hanging in the balance as star forward Cristiano Ronaldo battles to recover from his knee tendinitis. Without Ronaldo, the team’s leading scorer with 49 goals in 110 caps, Portugal immediately loses its most potent weapon against the Germans.
Head coach Paulo Bento tried going to a 4-4-2 formation as opposed to his tried-and-tested 4-3-3 in Portugal’s warm up against Greece last week, in search of more offense sans Ronaldo, but the Portuguese couldn’t break past a resolute Greek defense.
A bright spot in that game was the liveliness of Nani on the right wing. If Germany has a glaring weakness in its team, it’s at left-back with the inexperienced Erik Durm. Should Ronaldo fail to go, Portugal will look for Nani to expose that particular matchup.
But regardless of whether Ronaldo plays or not, expect Portugal to revert to their usual 4-3-3 against Germany. Bento will likely pack the midfield, soak up the pressure that Germany’s bevvy of offensive stars will bring, and hit on the counterattack where possible. With a healthy Ronaldo, this strategy just might upend the Germans. Without him though, it’ll be an uphill battle to take all three points.
Betting on Germany
Germany is widely expected to be one of the top contenders for this year’s World Cup, but a few question marks have appeared throughout the squad in preparation for its first match against its biggest group rivals, Portugal.
Injuries to goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, captain Philipp Lahm and midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger have kept them out of the team’s warm-up matches. Creative midfielders Mesut Ozil and Mario Gotze have looked out of form, and holding midfielder Sami Khedira is still trying to get fit after a long injury layoff.
But don’t get too concerned about the Germans just yet. Neuer and Lahm are expected to be ready for Portugal, while capable replacements for Schweinsteiger, Ozil and Gotze are waiting in the wings of Germany’s remarkably deep squad. World Cup 2010 top scorer Thomas Muller (five goals) will lead a German attack full of talent and quality, whomever Loew decides upon to start.
Khedira’s fitness is a legitimate concern with Germany light on cover in defensive midfield, but if Cristiano Ronaldo can’t get healthy in time, a semi-fit Khedira should still be enough to corral the Portuguese attack.
Writer’s Prediction
With or without Ronaldo, the Germans will have too much quality for the Portuguese. Take Germany -116 to win.
