Portugal vs Germany
The latest clash in the ‘group of death’ pits the reigning European Champions against the 2014 world champions in the Allianz Arena.
Portugal meet Germany in Euro 2020 and both nations have records to be proud of.
Led by a true icon, Portugal have lost just one of their last 16 matches, winning 11 and with arguably a better squad than that which triumphed at Euro 2016.
Meanwhile, Germany, are the perennial international kings.
The competition’s joint record winners with three European titles alongside Spain, this is also Germany’s 26th successive appearance in a World Cup or European Championship.
Euro 2020 highlights surely await.
Talking Points
Fresh from a spirited display against world champions France which showed they are still lacking in key areas compared to their class of 2014, Germany now need to find some inspiration to get a foothold in the tournament.
Home advantage could help but the pressure remains on manager Joachim Low in what is his swansong as boss before standing down after 15 years in charge.
It will be interesting to see if he shuffles his pack after the opening game.
Lukas Klostermann has suffered a thigh injury in training and is likely to sit out the rest of the group stage.
There is also a doubt about Matthias Ginter who was forced off in the latter stages of the clash with France but the centre-back is expected to shrug off a slight leg injury.
Midfielder Jonas Hofmann is another injury concern as he is nursing a knee problem.
Meanwhile, Leroy Sane could be handed a place in the starting line-up.
As for Portugal, Nelson Semedo is in line for a second straight start after Manchester City full-back Joao Cancelo tested positive for Covid-19.
Nuno Mendes is carrying a slight thigh problem and had to train away from the main group on Thursday, but Portugal do not have any other injury worries.
One almost certain change is that Rafa Silva will start after he came off the bench to play a part in all three goals against Hungary.
All eyes will again be on the record-breaker.
Cristiano Ronaldo is now the outright top scorer in European Championships history following a two-goal cameo in their late, late show against Hungary on Tuesday.
Now on 11 goals – he had been level with previous record-holder Michel Platini on nine – the inspirational captain is also the first player to feature and score in five European Championship tournaments.
If Germany can’t stop CR7, they may be heading for an early exit.
History
Four tournament meetings in the last 15 years, four German victories.
The first one came in the 2006 World Cup third-place play-off when Mannschaft ran out 3-1 winners, helped by a double from Bastian Schweinsteiger.
Two years later they met in the quarter-finals at Euro 2008 and the Germans again triumphed, this time 3-2, courtesy of goals from Schweinsteiger, Miroslav Klose and Michael Ballack. Nuno Gomes and Helder Postiga replied for Portugal.
Mario Gomez’s second-half header earned Germany a 1-0 group win at Euro 2012 and Germany won again, this time 4-0, in another group match two years later on their way to being crowned world champions.
On that occasion, Thomas Muller grabbed a hat-trick in a match where the Portuguese had to play for an hour with 10 men.
Portugal’s only victory against them in the last nine meetings came with a 3-0 triumph at Euro 2000 as Sérgio Conceição scored a hat-trick in Rotterdam to eliminate the then holders.
Germany have won 10 of the 18 matches between the nations, compared to three Portuguese victories and five draws.
Another of those Portuguese successes came in Germany, however, a 1-0 win in Stuttgart in World Cup qualifying in October 1985 – West Germany’s first ever defeat in a World Cup qualifier.
Portugal coach Fernando Santos has faced Germany only once before, his Greece side losing 4-2 in the Euro 2012 quarter-finals.
Betting Tip
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Portugal vs Germany | 1X2 Draw @ 3.20 |
| June 20 00:00 (GMT+8) |
The SBOTOP Euro 2020 betting odds actually lean towards Germany. You can get odds on them 1X2 @ 2.30, Asian Handicap -0.50 @ 2.31, with First Half odds of 1X2 @ 2.93 and First Half Asian Handicap -0.25 @ 2.38.
If they are attractive odds, then even more so for reigning European Champions Portugal.
You can back them 1X2 @ 3.00, First Half 1X2 @ 3.75, Asian Handicap -0.25 @ 2.78 and First Half Asian Handicap -0.25 @ 3.00.
If you are expecting goals, then consider over 2.75 @ 2.36, total goal 2-3 @ 1.82 and 4-6 @ 3.75.
As unlikely as it is, a repeat of their last clash nine years ago – a 4-0 Germany win – is available with Correct Score @ 75.00.
Likewise, a re-run of Portugal’s Euro 2000 triumph – correct score 3-0 – will payout @ 60.00.
This contest has a lot going for it and I am looking forward to it immensely.
A win will send Portugal through to the last 16 and likely eliminate Germany.
I think it will be tight, very tight, which is why my *** prediction is a 1X2 draw @ 3.20.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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|---|---|---|---|
| = €20 (Highly confident) |
 = €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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