Germany v Portugal betting for Euro 2012 sees the Germans as favourites to pick up maximum points. Joachim Low’s men are one of the tournament’s strongest sides and naturally a strong start will help to propel them through to the latter stages of the competition There is quite an important factor in gunning hard to win Group B, because the winners will, most likely, get an easier run to the final itself, then the runners up. With Holland also in the group, Germany can’t afford any early slip ups and know that Portugal will present a tough challenge. After storming through the Euro 2012 qualification with consummate ease, Germany have managed only one win from their three international friendly matches this year. They lost against France back in February, were stunned 5-3 by Switzerland, before beating Israel 2-0 in their final warm up game. Germany have a strong influence from Bayern Munich, who were defeated in the Champions League final, and so a little extra motivation has had to come from Low in getting a lot of his key stars motivated for the European Championships. So are these signs to be worried about? Not really, as tournament conditions are totally different, and the end of season domestic hangovers should have been shaken off by now.
Germany v Portugal Betting Odds at Ladbrokes
Germany Evens, Draw 23/10, Portugal 3/1
If Cristiano Ronaldo scores the First or Last Goal in Germany v Portugal betting, then online bookmaker Ladbrokes will refund any losing first goalscorer bets placed on the match. This provides some great coverage as the Real Madrid man is Portugal’s main weapon, especially from set pieces. Online bookmaker Ladbrokes offer a free £50 bet for new customers.
Still, Germany, because they are such a dynamic, youthful side are still going to be one of the big guns to beat at Poland and Ukraine 2012. They have the ability to overrun opponents simply by sheer power and pace, but their slick passing game, and keeping the ball on the key is the key to their approach. Germany thrilled up with this style at the 2010 World Cup, and they have grown since then, becoming a more disciplined side, especially in defence. So with everything combined, they are going to be strong, and probably too strong for Portugal. But the problem for Germany will be, as it is for most of the dominant teams, is that opposition will try and just defend deep with many people back behind the ball, and so Germany will have to rely on creativity and patience for the most part. The beauty about Germany’s game as well though, is that when they ease off and draw opposition forward, they are lethal on the counter attack, attacking with a speed that no-other side can match. Germany’s main weapons up front will be Mario Gomez, but with great support to come from the experienced hand of Miroslav Klose. The midfield engine of Bastian Schweinsteiger and the vision of Mesut Ozil, Germany are going to be very hard to stop.
The two sides met back in Euro 2008 and Germany edged a thrilling 3-2 win on that occasion in the quarter finals. That was the most recent meeting between them. The overall head to head between these two nations stands firmly in the court of Germany, who lead 8-3 from 16 encounters. Portugal failed to win their qualification group, finishing as runners up to Denmark, but they comfortably progressed through the play off against Bosnia and Herzegovina to make the Euro 2012 finals. In their two warm up matches ahead of the finals, Portugal were held to a 0-0 draw by Macedonia and then were defeated 3-1 by Turkey. So all the talk about Group B being a Group of Death, well it is unlikely to be that close at the end of the day. The star man for Portugal is of course Cristiano Ronaldo, but it looks as if he has to carry the side. Without him, Portugal look a very average side and as we saw at the 2010 World Cup, they may well revert to a very dull, defensive game just to try and keep themselves in matches, and hope that Ronaldo can produce a piece of magic to carry them forward. However, for all the skills of Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo, they are unlikely to threaten Germany too much.
Germany v Portugal Prediction: Portugal may well struggle to get goals and there is the feeling that even if they manage one against Germany, their opponents are just as likely to go out and get another at will. Portugal aren’t particularly strong at the back, and therefore Germany should break their resistance So a Germany -0.75 Asian Handicap for 6/5 at Bet365 looks pretty good value.
