Germany Vs Portugal 5pm (RTE/BBC/ITV) Group G

IK09

Germany Vs Portugal
Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador
Kick-off: 17.00 BST.
TV: RTE/ITV/BBC.

Germany (Possible, 4-2-3-1): Neuer; Boateng, Hummels, Mertesacker, Hoewedes; Khedira, Lahm; Kroos, Özil, Schurrle; Müller.
Test: Neuer (shoulder).

Portugal (Possible, 4-3-3): Patricio; Pereira, Pepe, Alves, Coentrao; Veloso, Moutinho, Meireles; Ronaldo, Almeida, Varela.
Test: Ronaldo (knee).

Referee: Milorad Mazic (Serbia).


No build up needed here, the balanced Germans take on the Balon D'or winners Portugal. The Portugese reliance on Ronaldo may hamper their ambitions as he appeared to be injured after withdrawing from training, but Portugal manager Paulo Bento has assured fans that Ronaldo will start.

As for the Germans, will their direct brand of football see them remedy 18 years without a trophy? First obstacle, Portugal.

Random Match Facts:

• Germany’s opening game at the 2014 World Cup against Portugal will be their 100th in the competition, they are the first team to reach that tally in the competition.
• Germany have only lost one of their last 18 games in the group stages of the World Cup, it was against Serbia on 18 June 2010 (0-1), winning 13 and drawing four.
• Portugal have lost their two games in the World Cup against their opponents in Group G: USA in 2002 and Germany in 2006.
• Cristiano Ronaldo has scored two goals from a total of 48 shots at the World Cup.
• Portugal have only won three of their 17 previous internationals against Germany (D5 L9), losing their last three at major tournaments (World Cup 2006, Euro 2012 and Euro 2008).
• Miroslav Klose currently has 14 World Cup goals – only Brazilian star Ronaldo has more (15).

xtal191

Hopefully Portugal can win this one.

GavRedKing

Hoping the Germans can do it, should be a good game.

aha_sender

Germany to win 1-0,Just to much talent

TheTownie

Germany ready to outmuscle Portugal.

IK09

I can see Portugal sitting back and allowing Germany to dictate the pace of the game, then trying to move the ball quickly on the counter attack. The Portuguese defense has 2 champions league winners in it, so they should have a certain degree of confidence that they can hold the Germans at bay for the first half, while they try to hit on the counter.

If they try to meet the Germans in "open battle" I would back Germany. The lines the Germans work in going forward is like a Blitzkreig. Pace, movement, class, finishing, and decision making are areas of Germany's game they excel in. They have a wealth of players they can rely on for something special.

All this said, I have Germany to win from behind backed @ 25-1.

GLaDOS

Stupid 5 pm kick off

SantryRed

If Ronaldo is 100%, I really fancy the Portuguese to turn over the Germans here. It's going to be a cracking game. Very surprised they have this one kicking off at 5 with Iran-Nigeria on at 8.

mike65

Just for anyone who is confussed - ITV are showing this game.

stesaurus

ScienceNerd wrote: »

Stupid 5 pm kick off

Working from home has a lot of benefits

dundalkfc10

SantryRed wrote: »

If Ronaldo is 100%, I really fancy the Portuguese to turn over the Germans here. It's going to be a cracking game. Very surprised they have this one kicking off at 5 with Iran-Nigeria on at 8.

Times and Days for each group were arranged long before the draw was made, so They cant just start changing around times for people that watch the games.

When an English team or Celtic face a German team in Europa League over past few years, German TV has always had the game kicking off at 6pm (even when its in the UK) so it must be the usuall time they have TV games in Germany, although that last bit is irrelevant, thought id throw it in

Fancy Portugal here myself, Strong at the back and have Ronaldo

Ulysses Gaze

s.welstead wrote: »

Working from home has a lot of benefits

I'd get banned if I said what I feel about you know......



I think this will be a draw. 1-1 or 2-2

keith16

dundalkfc10 wrote: »

Fancy Portugal here myself, Strong at the back and have Ronaldo

Did you just write off Germany? You can't do that mate.

dundalkfc10

keith16 wrote: »

Did you just write off Germany? You can't do that mate.

Well if I fancy Portugal to win the game, I never mentioned Germany, I just said I feel Portugal are strong at the back (i.e they can keep top teams out) and have a matchwinner of all matchwinners further up the pitch

NyOmnishambles

I happen to be at home today so it is a pleasant surprise that there will be a decent game on today at 5

I will be shouting for the Germans as I have friends there and love the place but I don't expect it to be easy

kfallon

Any team news yet?

blingrhino

"When an English team or Celtic face a German team in Europa League over past few years, German TV has always had the game kicking off at 6pm (even when its in the UK) so it must be the usuall time they have TV games in Germany, although that last bit is irrelevant, thought id throw it in"

Europa league - what is this you talk of young man

Professional Griefer

kfallon wrote: »

Any team news yet?

Patricio, Alves, Pepe, Veloso, Coentrao, Ronaldo, Moutinho, Almeida, Meireles, Nani, Pereira.

Neuer, Boateng, Hummels, Mertesacker, Howedes, Khedira, Lahm, Kroos, Ozil, Muller, Gotze

the incredible pudding

I'm disappointed Schurrle isn't starting, he really should be considering Reus is absent.

Lostman1990

Professional Griefer wrote: »

Patricio, Alves, Pepe, Veloso, Coentrao, Ronaldo, Moutinho, Almeida, Meireles, Nani, Pereira.

Neuer, Boateng, Hummels, Mertesacker, Howedes, Khedira, Lahm, Kroos, Ozil, Muller, Gotze

For some reason, I'm beginning to look at that Portuguese team and thinking they could do a job on the Germans...Up until now it was a German win for me...

CurryFlavoured

What's up with the German back 4 of all centre backs? The team looks a bit disjoined in general. I'm interested to see how they play, they looked like poo against Cameroon a week or so ago.

kevohmsford

Suprised not to see Klose. Looks very defensive from the Germans.

LightningBlue

I don't really get this Lahm in centre midfield thing.
He's a world class full back, why not just play him in his best position? It's also forcing other players out of position.

Aenaes

Germany going for 5-2-3 maybe?

Dont be at yourself

Klose needs one goal to equal Ronaldo's World Cup total. Hope he gets a chance to do it...

Lucas Hood

Aenaes wrote: »

Germany going for 5-2-3 maybe?

5-5-0

Hope Klose gets on and gets his goal (or two). But the manager could be keeping him back for the "weaker" teams.

IK09

Looks like a tight diamond in midfield with

----DMF-
-CM- -CM-
----AMC-
-ST- -ST-

This makes me sad.

Ormus

Serious lack of pace/width in the German starting 11

Shanotheslayer

LightningBlue wrote: »

I don't really get this Lahm in centre midfield thing.
He's a world class full back, why not just play him in his best position? It's also forcing other players out of position.

I think Lowe, and Guadiola know more about his best position then us mate. They both think it should be CDM now :pac:

GavRedKing

I thought Klose and Schurrle would start ahead of Gotze and Khedira.

Lucas Hood

IK09 wrote: »

Looks like a tight diamond in midfield with

----DMF-
-CM- -CM-
---- -AMC-
-ST- -ST-

This makes me sad.

It'll be

Khedira
Lahm Kroos
Muller Ozil Gotze
I bet

Muller is the big game player and I'll not be surprised to see him score.

Ronaldo likewise

fuzzydunlop85

Hmm really need this to be over 2.5 goals but looking at that German team I think it could be a low scoring game.

Paully D

That Germany team is so narrow.

DubDani

Shanotheslayer wrote: »

I think Lowe, and Guadiola know more about his best position then us mate. They both think it should be CDM now :pac:

Additional problem for Loew is that Schweinsteiger and Khedira have been out for long spells last season and little game practice. So he doesn't want to risk to pair them together at this point. Bringing Lahm is a much better option. He has been looking very good in the last few games in this position.

IK09

Ormus wrote: »

Serious lack of pace/width in the German starting 11

Going to try control the game, possession football I reckon.

IK09

Lucas Hood wrote: »

It'll be

Khedira
Lahm Kroos
Muller Ozil Gotze
I bet

Ozil up top?

fuzzydunlop85

Rte with the Terminator 2 judgment day soundtrack there. Nice! Hamman in studio aswell, good stuff.

GavRedKing

IK09 wrote: »

Ozil up top?

I thought it would be 4-3-3 with a false 9 played by muller.

Khedira--Lahm--Kroos

Ozil--Muller--Gotze

Maximus Alexander

This match will be just about ending when I get in from work. Gutted, I bet it will be a cracker.

Aenaes

Muller could easily be playing as striker. So a typical 4-2-3-1 formation.

IK09

GavRedKing wrote: »

I thought it would be 4-3-3 with a false 9 played by muller.

Khedira--Lahm--Kroos

Ozil--Muller--Gotze

Ya that looks like the best arrangement so far anyway. Personally id swap Khedira and Lahm, Lahm is more capable in wide positions than Khedira (IMO).

Lucas Hood

IK09 wrote: »

Ozil up top?

Ozil as the false 9 but all the attackers will move around I would imagine.

Professional Griefer

3-1 Portugal I'd say..

Blatter

Would presume Gotze will play the false 9 role. You would think they'd want Muller out wide to give them some sort of width.

Nuri Sahin

Germany 2-1 Portugal

pickarooney

fuzzydunlop85 wrote: »

Hmm really need this to be over 2.5 goals but looking at that German team I think it could be a low scoring game.

Just for people who don't understand betting - what does 2.5 goals mean? How would a game have over 2.0 goals but not over 2.5? What's half a goal?

Talib Fiasco

Muller any time and Germany -1 seem bargain bets

GreNoLi

Most of the big players have performed thus far so long may that continue.

Strange that Portugal have not been able to produce a world class center forward for so long.

mike65

pickarooney wrote: »

Just for people who don't understand betting - what does 2.5 goals mean? How would a game have over 2.0 goals but not over 2.5? What's half a goal?

In the unders/overs market you are betting on either 0,1,2 goals or 3+ goals hence 2.5 is the dividing point - the goal line.