One of the biggest games of the second slate of Euro 2020 group stage games is upon us. Germany (0 wins, 1 loss, 0 draws) and Portugal (1-0-0), ranked 12th and fifth, respectively, in the FIFA World Rankings, meet for a noon ET kickoff Saturday at Allianz Arena in Munich. Below, we preview the Portugal vs. Germany odds and lines and make our best Euro 2020 bets, picks and predictions.
Germany comes in with a home-field advantage. While it may be a slight underdog given the rankings, this team doesn’t lack star power. MF Toni Kroos, who played a large role in the team’s 1-0 loss to France, will dominant the middle of the field. F Thomas Müller will need to step up as the home side was held scoreless to start the tournament.
Those two will dictate the style of play for the German side. Then, you have GK Manuel Neuer in the back. He’s arguably the best goalkeeper in the world and showed that against France. Only an own goal by D Mats Hummels got by him.
That said, let’s not act like the Portugal side has no star power. They have F Cristiano Ronaldo, who is closing in on the international goals record. Ronaldo put two in the back of the net in Portgular’s 3-0 win over Hungary.
Portugal at Germany: Odds, picks and predictions
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 11:21 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Portugal +220 (bet $100 to win $220) | Germany +130 (bet $100 to win $130) | Draw +225 (bet $100 to win $225)
- Over/Under: 2.5 (O: +100 | U: -135)
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Prediction
Germany 1, Portugal 0
Money line (ML)
PASS on the money line because neither team truly showed much in their first game.
Sure, Portugal won 3-0, but they played 37th-ranked Hungary. They also didn’t capitalize on many early-game chances and didn’t get one in the net until the 84th minute. One of those three goals also came from the penalty spot.
Over/Under (O/U)
BET the UNDER 2.5 (-135) because neither team truly showed any attacking prowess in their opening matches.
Germany won possession and didn’t allow many opportunities for French stars Kylian Mbappé or Paul Pogba. France wasn’t allowed to gain any momentum despite not being pressed by Germany too much.
Germany had 692 passes and an 89.2% passing rate. Kroos and MF İlkay Gündoğan played very well. Expect them to keep the pace of the game in their favor and make it a slower game.
As for Portugal, they have Ronaldo, but until late in the game, they couldn’t break down Hungary. With the star being the main threat for Portugal, I’d expect Germany to lock him down and keep the Portuguese offense limited.
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