The UEFA Nations League has reached the semifinal stage, setting the stage for a significant clash between Portugal and Germany at the Allianz Arena. They will compete for a place in the final.
Under Julian Nagelsmann, Germany has shown significant improvement, remaining undefeated in their last eight matches since their exit from the Euros against Spain. Aiming to regain top form and be considered World Cup contenders again, defeating Portugal would be a positive step.
Although they reached this stage with a 5-2 win against Denmark, Portugal`s defense has shown vulnerabilities, conceding goals in four of their last five games. This suggests Germany has a good chance of scoring.
Last Meeting
Germany and Portugal haven`t met since the Euros in 2021, which proved to be quite a match. Germany took a 2-1 lead in the first half and continued to apply pressure with second-half goals from Kai Havertz and Robin Gosens. The match highlighted Portugal`s defensive susceptibility, ending in a 4-2 victory for Germany.
Best Bets
Florian Wirtz to have 2+ shots on target (+290): Although reports about Liverpool may be in the back of Florian Wirtz`s mind, his focus will be on helping Germany reach the Nations League final. As a key player in Germany`s setup, Wirtz is expected to have numerous shooting opportunities against Portugal`s defense. Given his ability to shoot from various positions on the pitch and Germany`s lack of an in-form central striker, this bet is worth considering.
Predicted Lineups
Germany:
- Marc-Andre ter Stegen
- Robin Gosens
- Robin Koch
- Jonathan Tah
- Joshua Kimmich
- Lein Goretzka
- Pascal Gross
- Serge Gnabry
- Florian Wirtz
- Leroy Sane
- Niclas Fullkrug
Portugal:
- Diogo Costa
- Nuno Mendes
- Goncalo Inacio
- Ruben Dias
- Diogo Dalot
- Vitinha
- Joao Neves
- Rafael Leao
- Bruno Fernandes
- Bernardo Silva
- Cristiano Ronaldo
Player to Watch
Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal: Questions persist regarding whether Cristiano Ronaldo should still start for Portugal. With attacking depth including Diogo Jota, Gonçalo Ramos, and Pedro Neto, Roberto Martinez has options to create a more dynamic setup. However, if Ronaldo is expected to start, Portugal`s playing style remains somewhat constrained. Despite this, he has still scored goals, with four in his last five appearances for Portugal. Notably, the two recent matches where Ronaldo did not score resulted in a draw and a loss. If Germany can effectively neutralize him, it appears to be their clearest path to victory.
Prediction
Germany`s squad depth and Julian Nagelsmann`s tactical flexibility are likely to be decisive. Even if Portugal scores first, it might not be enough to prevent a German victory. With Florian Wirtz in good form and several players capable of creating danger, Germany is well-positioned to secure their spot in the Nations League final.
Pick: Germany 3, Portugal 2
Dominic Ashworth