Portugal vs Germany Predictions & Tips

Portugal have lost just twice since their World Cup exit in 2018.
Germany have only won one of their last four matches, including two home defeats.
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 43 goals for club and country this season.

Negative Portugal leave it late in Budapest

Portugal left it late to break down a stubborn Hungary side in Budapest on Tuesday but once the floodgates were open the goals started flowing, although the 3-0 scoreline flatters the defending champions somewhat.

Fernando Santos was the manufacturer of his own problems in that game as they fielded a conservative midfield pivot of William Carvalho and Danilo Pereira which offered very little going forward. Renato Sanches’ introduction changed the outlook of the game, but if history is anything to go by we can expect Santos to revert to his defensive ways as they visit Munich on Saturday.

Still, their attacking prospects should be fairly good here. Portugal have won five of their last seven games and scored 16 goals in that period. They have only lost twice – against France and Ukraine – since their World Cup exit at the hands of Uruguay three years ago and they boast an array of incredible attacking talents.

Germans in disarray

Germany aren’t exactly short of talent, but Joachim Low’s squad is far from at its best right now and they showed that in their 1-0 defeat to France. Their system allowed them to create plenty of chances but the lack of a focal point for their attack meant that France rarely looked threatened.

The World Cup champions, by contrast, were a massive threat on the break after Mats Hummels’ own goal opened the scoring, with Les Bleus twice denied by tight offside calls.

Germany have lost won just three of their last seven games and this run includes defeats to Spain (6-0), North Macedonia (1-2) and France (0-1). They have conceded in each of their last four matches and come up against one of the most fearsome attacks in the tournament on Saturday.

Talisman Ronaldo to strike again in Munich

He may be 36-years-old, but Cristiano Ronaldo is the most fearsome of these. His movement and desire is incredible and his late brace in Budapest made him the all-time top scorer in the European Championships. He has scored 11 goals across five tournaments and is now just three goals off matching Ali Daei’s record of 109 international goals.

The Portuguese phenomenon, despite his advancing years, has scored an incredible 43 goals for club and country this season and he commands the greatest of respect. Back him to punish a fragile looking German back line on Saturday.

Overall, Portugal’s prospects are bright. They have proven incredible difficult to beat over the past few years and Germany are in disarray, so backing them to get something from this game looks a solid option. With two of their last five ending all square, however, I’m opting for a 1-1 correct score prediction.