Czech Republic v Germany Betting Tips: Hosts can test Germans defensively

02:32, 30 aug 2017
02:32, 30 aug 2017
Countdown to event
00
00
00
00
Statistics per month: Winnings: 0$ % of profit: 0 bets: 0 Won: 0 Statistic >

Following a triumphant summer in Russia, one which saw them lift the Confederations Cup, something that Joachim Löw will be hoping was a dress-rehearsal for next summers’ World Cup, Germany are back in action on Friday night as they bid to cement their place in Russia for the second summer running. Depending on what happens over the next few days, Löw’s men could be mathematically confirmed as Group C winners with two games to spare. In order to do that, the Germans must start with a win against Czech Republic in Prague on Friday night.

Friday’s hosts come into this match in pretty good form as far as qualification goes and so will be hoping to upset the favourites in front of a home crowd. Considering how they’ve fared during qualification already, alongside their recent Confederations Cup exploits, it is of course easy to see why Germany come into this match as strong favorites; however, as we saw during the summer, their are a few cracks in this German set up, cracks that the Czech’s will be hoping to exploit. The bet that stands out is ‘Germany to Win & Both Teams to Score’.

Although the squad assembled for this particular round of qualifying isn’t exactly Germany’s best, it is still strong, especially in the forward areas. Having missed out on the Confeds, the likes of Mesut Özil, Toni Kroos, Sami Khedira, Thomas Müller and Mario Gómez all return. With this in mind, the Germans should prove to be very useful going forward. However, defensively, they look far less appealing. After all, it was indeed from a defensive point of view that the Germans looked a tad shaky during the summer and, with much of the same personnel at the back, they could easily be got at in this fixture. Both first choice keeper Manuel Neuer and preferred centre-back Jérôme Boateng have been ruled out. This means that most of the defensive line-up (plus perhaps Mats Hummels) from the Confederations Cup, who didn’t exactly strike fear into the hearts of opposition attacks in keeping just one clean sheet in five matches, is likely to feature here. With this in mind, the Czech’s really ought to fancy themselves going forward.

From an attacking point of view, there really is nothing for the Czech’s to fear ahead of this match. Yes, Germany have a strong side and yes, they’re the current world champions, but, as touched on above, the Confederations Cup proved that their current defensive predicament is anything but secure and so there’s reason for the hosts to believe that their attacking efforts can be rewarded. However, like the Germans, it is at the other end of the pitch where they’re likely to come undone. During qualifying so far, the defending of Karel Jarolím’s men has left plenty to be desired; they have kept three clean sheets, albeit against questionable opposition, but the fact that they conceded both home and away against Norway hardly bodes well, while they looked weak when conceding three away to the Germans back in August last year.

With this pair both looking somewhat insecure at the back, this could quite easily be a game that comes down to whoever has more about them going forward. Unfortunately for the home side, in that respect, there can only be one winner. For all their weaknesses at the back, the Germans looked very good in the final third when winning the Confeds just a few months ago, while they ought to have even more to offer with some of their big-name players back in the squad.

All things considered, this certainly appeals as a game where both teams can get themselves on the score-sheet, but it is the Germans who can secure victory thanks to their superior forward-line.

More World Cup qualifying tips can be found here.

Found a mistake?Let us know
Still have questions? Ask our experts!
Comments