Euro 2008
2008-06-19 - Portugal vs Germany
A Sports Betting Pick by Gooner
UEFA Euro 2008 - Quarter-Final
St Jakob-Park, Basel
Thursday 19th June 2008 - KO 19:45
The winners of this tie will meet the winners of the quarter-final between the top team from Group B, Croatia, and Group A runners-up Turkey in the first semi-final. It will also be played here at St. Jakob-Park, on Wednesday 25 June
PORTUGAL
Portugal are in the last eight for the fourth successive tournament and they progressed to this stage with comparative ease, winning their first two games in Group A.
The Portuguese beat Turkey 2-0 on the opening day with goals from Pepe and Raul Meireles and followed that with a 3-1 victory against the Czech Republic in Geneva.
Portugal have the outstanding Cristiano Ronaldo, who was the omst dominant player in European club football this season when playing with Manchester United, but it's harder to assert that dominance that this level - as he's obviously Portugal's key player.
GERMANY
This is the first time Germany have advanced beyond the group stage since they were crowned continental champions for the third time in 1996.
The group games were laboured performances by the Germans, even so, two wins were more than enough to progress and the improving form of Michael Ballack is key to German hopes.
Up front Germany have Lukas Podolski and not much else. The form of Klose and Gomez has been poor so far and even playing a thrre-man attack has not really solved goal scoring problems.
HEAD TO HEAD
Portugal and Germany have met each other on 15 occasions with the Germans holding a 7-3-5 record.
The two countries have met twice at a European Championship. In 2000, Portugal beat Germany 3-0 through a hat-trick by Sergio Conceicao. At the 1984 European Championship the match ended in a goalless draw.
Their last meeting in all competitions was the third place play-off at the World Cup 2006 which was won by Germany 3-1.
TEAM NEWS
Portugal have not released any team news yet.
Germany face a double injury setback with Torsten Frings and Lukas Podolski struggling to be fit to face Portugal in Thurdsay's Euro 2008 quarter-final.
Holding midfielder Frings is a major doubt with fractured ribs, while Podolski has a calf problem.
Bastian Schweinsteiger, who was suspended against Austria, could earn a starting role against the Portuguese.
THE VERDICT
I have to make Portugal favourites here, they look better in attack (when fielding a full strength side) and in Ronaldo have a match-winner for any level.
But, Germany have experience, Germany have the temperment, and Germany have Michael Ballack too, and he will ensure that his side get a fair share of possession.
Defensively, both sides are less than perfect, so I do expect to see goal(s) within the 90 minutes, and I wonder if a couple of goalscorer bets might be the best way to play.
The Pick :
Portugal 2-1 Germany (or 1-1)
BEST BETTING TIP :
I'd side with PORTUGAL although this game might go into extra time.Consider first goalscorer bets on :
Cristiano Ronaldo @ 6.00 at VC Bet
Michael Ballack @ 10.00 at VC Bet
