The world champions will start their campaign to defend the title against Mexico in the first match of Group F. This is surely the most important match of Group F with the other two teams being Sweden and South Korea. Germany is surely top contenders to win their second world cup in a row. Germans have only lost one group game since 1994, winning 13 and drawing just 4 out of 18 matches.
Form
Germany doesn’t really have the ideal form going into the World Cup as the champions. They have won just 1 of their last 6 pre-tournament and suffered an unexpected 2-1 loss to Austria in Manuel Neuer’s return match. They are, however, top contenders and will have just one motive when they step on the field against Mexico. They were ruthless in the qualifier, winning all 10 of their matches and finish top of their group, scoring 43 and conceding just 4 in the process.
WLLDDD
Mexico had really amazing qualifiers as they lost only once and topped the group with ease. They kept a clean sheet in three of the pre-tournament matches but then they lost 2-0 to Denmark. They are considered second favorites in the group after Germans and they might not have big names as them, they certainly can put up a good performance.
LWDLWW
Squads
Germany’s squad strength is easily evident by the fact that Leroy Sane, PFA Young Player of the year in the Premier League couldn’t make it. They have top quality players in each and every position and also some world-class backups. In the midfield, they have the amazing players Toni Kroos, Mesut Ozil, Sami Khedira, Marco Reus and Julian Draxler.
In the back, they have a solid pair of Bayern’s Jerome Boateng and Mats Hummels. Right back Joshua Kimmich is also one of the young prospects to look out for in this World Cup. In between the sticks, Manuel Neuer will be the same rock after returning from 9 months of injury issues.
Germany Predicted XI
Neuer, Kimmich, Boateng, Hummels, Hector, Kroos, Khedira, Muller, Ozil, Reus, Werner
Mexico went out of their last World Cup with a 4-1loss to Germany. This time around, they would like to keep that damage in check and get something out of the hardest fixture in the group for the Mexicans. They certainly have the means to pull off a good performance with players like Javier Hernandez, Giovani Dos Santos, Andres Guardado and Hector Moreno.
Ochoa, arguably the best keeper in the last world cup, must replicate his performance if they want the ball out of their nets against ruthless Germans. Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez is the leading scorer for Mexico and will surely play an important role.
Mexico Predicted XI
Ochoa, Salcedo, Ayala, Moreno, Gallardo, Herrera, Layun, Lozano, G dos Santos, Vela, Jimenez
Prediction and Odds
Germany will clearly step into the field as the clear favorites. They have midfield maestros like Kroos, Ozil, and Draxler to boss the midfield along with Marco Reus, Thomas Muller, and Timo Werner to convert the chances created by them. Their defence is brilliant in the air and both Boateng & Hummels have a strong physical presence.
Mexico needs something extra from their star players if they want to stand up to the champions. They need to capitalize on the few chances they will get.
Germany 3-1 Mexico
Both teams to score at 5/2.
Germany winning 3-1 at 13/1.
Thomas Muller to score anytime at 6/4.
Timo Werner to score anytime at 23/18.
Over 2.5 goals at 6/5.
Odds at Mr. Green and LeoVegas
Germany to win at 6/13.
Draw at 7/2.
Mexico to win at 23/4.
Over 2.5 goals at ¾.
Under 2.5 goals at 10/9.