Germany vs Czech Republic Predictions & Betting Tips, Match Preview

Germany were unable to add the European Championships to their World Cup trophy in the summer as they fell in the semi finals to host nation France. They hadn’t looked at their best in the group stages as they drew with Poland, narrowly beat Northern Ireland, and won against Ukraine.

Their attacking play lacked a cutting edge from a world class striker, with Mario Gotze proving rather ineffectual as a lone out and out striker. He dropped deep too much and left the Germany side passing around the edge of the box a lot. Mario Gomez offered something different, but he has been withdrawn from the squad with a hardened buttock muscle (Yes, really)

Germany seem to have fixed that problem now, with them following their Euro 2016 exit with a 2-0 win over Finland in a friendly and then a 3-0 win in Norway to open their World Cup qualifying campaign. Overall they have won six, drawn two, and lost one of their last nine matches.

Czech Republic are Germany’s biggest threat when it comes to the single automatic qualification spot in this group. However, I don’t expect Germany to have much to worry about with regards to claiming the top spot. Czech Republic were dismal in France in the summer.

They opened the tournament with a 1-0 loss to Spain before coming back from two goals behind against Croatia late on, with a little help from a small section of Croatian fans causing trouble. 2-0 defeat to Turkey sent them home from France, and although they managed a 3-0 win at home against Armenia in a friendly they could only settle for a goalless draw at home to Northern Ireland in their first match.

This could be a very damaging result for them, as Northern Ireland represent one of their biggest threats for second place in the group and a potential playoff spot.

Germany haven’t recently looked like the team they were in Brazil a couple of years ago. They have kept just three clean sheets in their last 13 home games and have only won five of their last nine home games. Czech Republic have scored in 15 of their last 16 trips away as well, so backing Both Teams to Score at 6/5 look good value to me. I do think Germany will get the win in the end though, so I’m also backing a 3-1 correct score prediction at 10/1.