Germany v Portugal World Cup prediction and betting tips 1X2

Match	Date	Selection	Bet	Odds	Bet now
Germany v Portugal World Cup prediction and betting tips 1X2 World Cup 2014, International	16/06/2014 18:00	full time result	Germany	2.25	Bet at B
Betting prediction was written by Colin

GERMANY V PORTUGAL : QUALIFICATION

Germany qualified for the finals with an impressive group win (9-1-0), and as ever will be one of the strongest challengers from Europe for the trophy. Portugal finished runners up in their group to Russia with a (6-3-1) record, but home and away wins over Sweden in the play-offs guaranteed their place in the finals.

THE GERMANY SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Roman Weidenfeller (Borussia Dortmund), Ron-Robert Zieler (Hannover)Defenders: Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich), Erik Durm (Borussia Dortmund), Kevin Grosskreutz (Borussia Dortmund), Benedikt Howedes (Schalke), Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund), Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich), Per Mertesacker (Arsenal), Shkodran Mustafi (Sampdoria).Midfielders: Julian Draxler (Schalke), Matthias Ginter (Freiburg), Mario Gotze (Bayern Munich), Christoph Kramer (Borussia Monchengladbach), Sami Khedira (Real Madrid), Toni Kroos (Bayern Munich), Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich), Mesut Ozil (Arsenal), Andre Schurrle (Chelsea), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich).Forwards: Miroslav Klose (Lazio), Lukas Podolski (Arsenal).

The loss of Marco Reuss is a big blow, and Lars Bender is also forced out injured but this still a powerpacked German squad of youth and experience. World Cup specialist Miroslav Klose needs two goals to beat Brazil Ronaldos 15 goal record, and despite his advancing years is still very much a goal threat. A star studded midfield may see Mario Gotze emerge as the star, and a solid defence still makes the Germans one of the teams to beat in these finals.

THE PORTUGAL SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Rui Patricio (Sporting), Beto (Sevilla/ESP), Eduardo (Braga)Defenders: Andre Almeida (Benfica), Bruno Alves (Fenerbahce/TUR), Fabio Coentrao (Real Madrid/ESP), Joao Pereira (Valencia/ESP), Neto (Zenith St-Petersburg/RUS), Pepe (Real Madrid/ESP), Ricardo Costa (Valencia/ESP)Midfielders: Joao Moutinho (Monaco/FRA), Miguel Veloso (Dynamo Kiev/UKR), Raul Meireles (Fenerbahce/TUR), Ruben Amorim (Benfica), William Carvalho (Sporting)Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid/ESP), Eder (Braga), Helder Postiga (Lazio/ITA), Hugo Almeida (Besiktas/TUR), Nani (Manchester United/ENG), Rafa (Braga), Varela (FC Porto), Vieirinha (Wolfsburg/GER)

As you would expect its all about Ronaldo, though the likes of William Carvalho and Joao Moutinho mean this Portugal side is by no means a one trick pony, but their progression does rely heavily on him performing to his best.

WARM UP MATCHES

Three friendly games for Germany have not been entirely convincing with two draws and a win, but I would not read too much into them personally. A 0-0 draw with Poland was played without any Bayern or Dortmund players due to the Cup final, and featured many players who have not even made the final 23. Next up was a 2-2 draw with Cameroon, and a more familiar German line up started with a 4-5-1 formation, and dominated but were surprisingly slack. They finished preperations with a more convincing display in a 6-1 win over Armenia, though all the goals came in the second half, and it was actually 1-1 with 70 minutes on the clock. Warm up matches is precisely what they were though and expect a meaner and leaner Germany once the real stuff gets going.

Portugal started recent warm uos with a 0-0 draw with Greece, and missing Ronaldo they turned in a pretty lacklustre display. Ronaldo was again absent from the 1-0 win over Mexico, and it looked to be another bore draw before Bruno Alves struck in injury time. Last up and with Ronaldo back, it ended as a 5-1 win over Ireland. More convincing all round, and looking more comfortable with their main man to guide them it means they can go into the finals on a positive note.

BETTING ANALYSIS

A heavyweight clash this, but looking at the squads Germany look head and shoulders above Portugal (with one obvious exception). A classy mix of youth and experience gives the Germany side a nice balance, and it would be no surprise if they were to go all the way. Portugal will as usual rely too heavily on Ronaldo to bring them glory, and their best hope here will be to defend stoutly, and hope he can provide a moment of magic. I expect a Germany win, but with it being the opening group game I expect both sides to display a degree of caution.

GERMANY V PORTUGAL: 1X2 BETTING TIPS

Odds on Germany has became 2.25(5/4)Bet365 and Im struggling to see why they have drifted. The Reus injury is a blow for sure,but look at the squad still and only a fool would say it is not still packed with quality that could well win the whole thing. As the big guns of the group are meeting in the opener it may pan out more cagey than if it was on another matchday, but at 2.25 for a Germany win it screams of value to me and has to be backed if you havent already done so.

Bet365 Bonus

Now you can get up to £200 in the form of a 100% deposit bonus.Free bets and bonus also up to £200 are available too. Have a go at any of my betting tips and get some free bets on top, click here.