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Germany odds to win this year’s World Cup were at 6-1 heading into Monday’s game against Portugal where the Germans dismantled Cristiano Ronaldo and crew 4-0. That price has since been slashed to just better than 4-1. German backers may want to lock this price in now as it is likely to be slashed further after that brilliant performance.
Strengths
The Germans have seven midfielders that can start for any country in the world, and that isn’t counting Lukas Podolski, who is listed as a midfielder but is more of a forward. Bastian Schweinsteiger is probably the first on the team sheet, but Toni Kroos isn’t far behind, Marco Reus is a monster, Thomas Muller has a knack of scoring important goals and how do you leave out Sami Kheidira and Mesut Ozil? Mario Gotze will have to move up front to get time, and Julian Draxler is coming through the ranks.
If Gotze moves up front, that gives the Germans three striking options in Podolski, Gotze and Miroslav Klose, who is second all-time in caps with 131 and tied for first in goals with 68. Klose has slipped for Lazio, but he always comes through for the national team.
Weaknesses
Germany’s willingness to get everyone forward can hurt them on the counter, and the Schweinsteiger/Kheidira duo has to rein it in a little and shield the defense (and both men, especially Kheidira, have been hurt quite a bit this season). Captain Philipp Lahm has lost a step at right back, while Mats Hummels, Per Mertesacker and Jerome Boateng are all prone to lapses in judgment in central defense. The presumed starter at left back, Erik Durn, has just one cap at 22 years old. Keeper Manuel Neuer might have to do a lot of work.
This is a team that has been through a lot over the last four years, physically, which shows with their injuries, but mentally and they have a lot of pressure on them. Germany has finished second or third in the last three World Cups, and in each of the last two European Championships. Their fans are clamoring for a win and the players have to step up.
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- Alistair Prescott, Gambling911.com
