WORLD CUP BETTING PICK - GERMANY V PORTUGAL

World Cup

2006-07-08 - Germany vs Portugal

A Sports Betting Pick by Mark

Stuttgart, Gottlieb-Daimler Stadion, 8 July, 21:00 CET

Referee: Toru Kamikawa (Japan)


Germany

It's been a great WC for the hosts and before the WC really few would have expected them to reach the semi finals. Still once you get to this stage you want to go all the way, so in this light we will have a game between 2 dissapointed teams here who have to lift themselves up for one more or less meaningless game, the dubious honour of taking 3rd or 4th place.

The word is that Germany treat this game really seriously, but than again why are we seeing 4 to 5 new players in the starting line up?

Goalkeeper Kahn has been given the honour here to figure as a thankfull gesture for the great teamspirit he showed. Teamcaptain Ballack, Mertesacker, Friedrich and Borowksi are suddenly all injured, while Lehmann and Schweinsteiger will be left out too. I guess if it was the final they would all have played. So Klinsmann will most likely give starting places to defender Jansen, Huth and Hitzlsperger.


Portugal

Portugal can look back on a very succesfull WC too, after edging it twice in a row against the Netherlands and England they finally met their masters in France and had little chance in that game.

The battery looked empty after these exhausting knock-out games. It could also very likely be the last game under coach Scolari here. For this game both Portugal have to do without both regular defenders Miguel (injured) and Carvalho (suspended). According to midfielder Costinha however the team is in good spirit and they will give the game a good effort.


Probable Line ups

Germany: Kahn - Lahm, Huth, Metzelder, Jansen - Schneider, Frings, Kehl, Hitzlsperger - Klose, Podolski

Portugal: Ricardo - Ferreira, Meira, Caneira, Valente - Costinha, Maniche, Figo, Deco - Ronaldo, Pauleta


Verdict

Looking at the German line up with 5 players who would normally be on the bench i really can't recommend a bet on them. Ok the team will be motivated and get pushed by their fans and the pressure is off for sure, but i've really got an issue about the quality of this starting line up.

So should Portugal be our choice? Well..at least when looking at the prices and the percentages that's were the value is. Make up your mind if you want to be betting at all on this "friendly" game.

BEST BETTING TIP :

Germany are slight favourites in my book, but they are definately not a value price here with their current line-up. Infact prices for Portugal of $5.00 are really too high.