Euro 2008 - 19.06.2008

[Ledi17]

Portugal - Germany


Last 5 matches for Portugal:
Switzerland - Portugal 2-0
Portugal - Czech Republic 3-1
Portugal - Turkey 2-0
Portugal - Georgia 2-0
Portugal - Greece 1-2

Team news: Do not expect too many surprises from Luiz Filipe Scolari. After resting all his key players for the final group stage match against Switzerland he will once more return to his first-choice line-up he used in the opening two victories.
Probable starting: Ricardo, Bosingwa, Pepe, Carvalho, Ferreira, Petit, Simao, Deco, Moutinho, C.Ronaldo, N.Gomes


Last 5 matches for Germany:
Austria - Germany 0-1
Germany - Croatia 1-2
Germany - Poland 2-0
Germany - Serbia 2-1
Germany - Belarus 2-2

Team news: Torsten Frings is the major worry for Germany having suffered a broken rib in the previous match against Austria. The Werder Bremen midfielder will be given right up until the last minute to prove his fitness such is his importance to the team. If he doesn’t make it, expect either Tim Borowski or Thomas Hitzlsperger to step in. Bastian Schweinsteiger is expected to return to the side after serving a one-match ban against Austria for his stupid sending off versus Croatia. Another question remains the form (or lack of it) of Mario Gomez. His confidence appears low and the sitter he missed against Austria is indicative of his low ebb. Whether Jogi Löw decides to take him out of the firing line, or stick with him remains to be seen. Lukas Podolski could be pushed up front from his wide left midfield role.
Probable starting: Lehmann, Friedrich, Metzelder, Mertesacker, Lahm, Frings, Ballack, Schweinsteiger, Podolski, Gomez, Klose


Prediction: 1 0:0 (1.73 - Mansionss)