The second match of Group B sees well fancied Germany taking on Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in the Arena Lviv Stadium on Saturday 9th June.
Germany v Portugal – Group C (Euro 2012)
Saturday June 9th – 7.45pm BST
Germany are truly shaping up as the team who can put it up to Spain in this summer’s Euro 2012 tournament. With Bayern Munich performing so well in the Champions League and a number of the German international players achieving great honours in La Liga and the Bundesliga, their threats to Portugal in this second game in the ‘Group of Death’ are obvious.
Germany are 5/6 favourites in the betting for this match with the draw available at 9/4 while Portugal are the 19/5 underdogs. Portugal face an uphill task in Group B, having struggled to qualify for Euro 2012 and were forced to take the long route to this summer’s tournament through the play-off system.
Despite having a number of internationally renowned players within their ranks, the Portugese team have continuously underachieved and will be determined to turn the tide on this pattern at Euro 2012.
To their credit, Portugal went about their business in the play-offs against Bosnia in military style and looked like the most impressive country of those forced through the play-offs.
Germany lived up to their usual organized style when they blitzed their way through the qualification process, winning all ten of their qualification matches and looking pretty much comfortable along the way. They had an impressive tally of 34 goals and conceded just 7 on their journey to Poland/Ukraine 2012.
The record of games between these two sides doesn’t bode well for Portugal, with the Navigators winning just one of their last ten meetings with the Germans. Most concerning for Paulo Bento is the fact that Germany have won the last two meetings, 3-1 at the 2006 World Cup and more recently they managed to just edge out the Portugese with a thrilling 3-2 win at Euro 2008.
The volume of world class players within the German ranks is frightening and something that Bento will be well aware of, as he prepares for this epic battle at the Arena Lviv Stadium.
German striker Mario Gomez will be the biggest source of goals, as the Bayern Munich star looks to transfer his European club form to the international level. It’s been a long season for the 26-year-old and with the Champions League final still to be played, lethargy could be a key factor come June.
Portugal’s obvious threat is Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, who is definitely the value bet in the First Goalscorer or Anytime Goalscorer market. The former Manchester United player will be the engine room for Bento’s side having scored 42 goals in La Liga this season, with an impressive 12 assists also to his name. For him it’s also been a long season but his captaincy role for Portugal will mean he must step up to the plate this summer and help his team avoid being perennial underachievers once again. His goals will be a major factor on whether Portugal can overturn a dogmatic and hard working German side.
In previous tournaments Portugal have been accused of being over-cautious despite having some genuinely talented players going forward. Bento will more than likely rely on the counter attacking ability of Ronaldo and Meireles to catch the German defence off balance. In their last competitive tournament at World Cup 2010, Portugal fulfilled their objective of qualifying from the group stages but many pundits believed they may have gone further if it wasn’t for the negative tactics of former coach Carlos Queiroz.
Verdict:
The pressure is really on the Germans in this fascinating encounter in Group B of Euro 2012. However, Portugal possess the potential to cause an upset. The odds on the German win suggest that Portugal need not turn up but things may not go to plan. The draw result at odds of 9/4 looks like a inviting option having considered a number of factors. Despite having a number of extremely talented midfielders and forwards, there are weaknesses in the back line of the German side. The pace and power of Ronaldo at his best will cause migraines never mind headaches for Joachim Low’s side. If Portugal can keep things tight in the first 45 minutes, then there is a real chance of the points being shared between both sides.
Elsewhere in betting you have to look towards Cristiano Ronaldo to set his name in lights in his team’s opening match at Poland /Ukraine. Unlike his club form, the Real Madrid star has failed on numerous occasions to replicate this form on a international level. He’s a super bet to score anytime and the best option for the first goal, so don’t waste your money trying to seek value elsewhere! Odds on player markets will be available closer to kick-off.
