Austria v Germany - Monday Picks

Austria v Germany
Euro 2008 – Group B
Monday 16 June, 7.45pm (UK time)

Furious Joachim Low insists you will see a different Germany – 11/10 to win – to the one that capitulated 2-1 to Croatia last week but Austria, a best-priced 10/1, are hoping to upset the form books by winning here to progress to the quarter-finals against all expectations.

The scenario is simple – anything less than an Austria win and Germany go through, but if the co-hosts pull off a shock win by at least as good a margin as Poland’s victory over the Croats (should, indeed, Poland win) then Austria finish second in the group behind Croatia to reach the last eight. We believe the loss to Croatia, however, will stun the Germans into action and steamroller Austria despite the fervent support of 50,000 home fans.

Low has had four days to knock some sense into his players and admitted he has held several individual interviews with underperformers. Captain Ballack is rumoured to be one of them and he usually answers his critics with a terrific performance. Expect him to dominate the midfield and find the net.

Austria will be full of endeavour but should Germany take the lead it is very difficult to see Josef Hickersberger’s side getting anything out of the game. They have yet to score in open play and the Germans’ ability to hit on the counter-attack means we expect them to win by two clear goals as the Austrians will become more frantic and desperate as the game unfolds.

Final matches in the group stage can be high-scoring encounters, as we saw with Turkey’s stunning 3-2 win over Czech Republic on Sunday night. Twelve out of 16 final group games in 2000 and 2004 had over 2.5 goals so the Cvers market is worth considering.


Recommended Bets:
2pts on Over 2.5 goals at 8/11 or better
1pt on Michael Ballack to score first at 6/1