After stumbling at the first hurdle, Germany bounced back to their best against Portugal, thumping the European champions 4-2 in Munich. The Germans stay at the Allianz Arena, where they now host Hungary, who are off the back of an impressive 1-1 draw against the world champions, France.
The Hungarians will be playing their first game away from Budapest, so Marco Rossi will be hoping his side don’t suffer from a bit of stage fright.
Wednesday 23 June
Allianz Arena
Munich, Germany
To Win Match
Germany 1/6
Draw 13/2
Hungary 14/1
Germany
The Germans produced one of their best displays in the last few years to beat Portugal by a convincing 4-2 scoreline. They pressed high up the pitch, defended in numbers, claiming three points relatively easy.
A key component of that performance was Thomas Muller, who seems to be ruled out of Germany’s third and final group game. Muller’s absence forces Joachim Low to tweak his system and formation just days after it worked to perfection.
Kai Havertz, who was also instrumental in Germany’s 4-2 victory over Portugal, is likely to play as the false nine through the middle with Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sane down either flank. Another option for Low would be to play Havertz and Gnabry alongside each other in a front two with Leon Goretzka just behind the duo.
Goretzka produced a decent cameo display in Germany’s last encounter and could be useful in this tie to go to war with the Hungarian midfield with his combative style.
Hungary
Hungary, who were supposed to be the whipping boys of Group F, threw one of the biggest spanners in the works during round two of the group stage campaign by holding France off to a 1-1 draw.
Marco Rossi’s side were roused against France by a full-capacity stadium. They now face a much tougher prospect, however, as they face the Germans in the Bavarian heartland.
With Portugal playing France, Hungary could go through as runners-up of Group F if they win this game and Les Bleus beat Portugal. The Hungarians have lost just once in their last 12 encounters, and that came against Portugal in what was six minutes of madness to let the game slip out of their hands.
Hungary also have the advantage of knowing most of the German national team players from plying their trade in the German Bundesliga. RB Leipzig duo Willi Orban and Peter Gulacsi, as well as captain, Adam Szalai, and Freiburg’s Roland Sallai.
Prediction: Both Teams to Score (21/20)
Germany are overwhelming favourites in this tie, as expected, but are way too short for what is a do-or-die match for both teams. Low’s side have shown that they’re capable of putting a couple of goals past the sternest of opposition, while they’re also yet to keep a clean sheet in the tournament. Hungary should make Germany’s run without keeping their opponents at bay continue here at a valuable price of 21/20.
