GERMANY VS SWEDEN – WORLD CUP MATCH REVIEW

GERMANY

Defending champions Germany after winning the competition four years ago, have been flagged by punters to be one of the favourites. Germany vs Sweden is an all important game. All predictions before the world cup began, are now changing after the first game against the Mexicans went south. Final positions in this group would be decided by the outcome of this game, Germany vs Sweden.

A very dugged looking german defence was ripped apart time and again by the very pacey opposition. They struck in the first half when for Manchester united forward Javier Hernandez made a quick move past Mats Hummels. This chance gifted a certain Hirving Lozano a golden opportunity as he shot at goal and past Manuel Neuer to put the Mexicans ahead.

For the rest of the match it was a tale of the Germans trying to pull one back. While the Mexicans with their pace tried to purnish them on the counter. Mats Hummels and Kevin Boateng were left to deal with all incoming threats as Kimmich and Marvin were stuck upfront.

After the game, a frustrated Mats Hummels openly criticised Joachim Low’s tactics which affected his team’s performance. This outpour of his opinions can’t be any good in a team camp already downcast with their present predicament.

This poor show of form isn’t exactly surprising though, as the Germans haven’t kept a clean sheet in 13 matches of 16 played recently. Finding the back of the net isn’t exactly their weak side, but it all boils down to their defense which has been really poor lately.

SWEDEN

After earning a well-deserved three points on their opening match against a less threatening Korean side, who had just two shots on goal. They now come up against a German side who have found the back of the net in 17 games of their last 20. Considering Germany’s frail defense this team would fancy their chances of getting on the score sheet.

Their 1-0 win against the Asians in the opening game happens to be their first win at the world cup since beating Mexico in 1958. The last time they won consecutive games at the world cup was also in 1958 as they hosted the tournament.

Sweden have faced a defending champion twice winning on both occasions, against Italy and Germany (1950 & 1958) respectively. Meanwhile Germany haven’t lost back to back matches at the world cup proper since 1958.

EXPECTATIONS

This trends makes the both teams to find the back of the net option quite a shot, as Sweden would be hoping to salvage a point from this encounter. And now they play a German side who aren’t in the best of forms.

It is also worthy of note that the defending champions have failed to make it past the group stage in the preceding tournament. With Brazil, Spain and Italy all going through this fate after winning the tournament, Germany has a lot of work to do here.

HEAD TO HEAD

Of the last seven meetings, Germany have won five. With the most recent being at the 2006 world cup which the Germans won by scoring two goals which Sweden had no reply to.

PREDICTED LINEUP

GERMANY

Neuer, Kimmich, Boating, Hummels, Plattenhardt, Goertzka, Kroos, Muller, Ozil, Reus, Werner

SWEDEN

Olsen, Lustig, Jansson, Granqvist, Augustinsson, Claesson, Larsson, Ekdal, Forsberg, Toivonen, Berg

PICK

GERMANY WIN
ODD: 1.65