Bet Of The Day: Germany - Serbia

Match Odds: Germany 1.64, Draw 3.50, Serbia 6.25

Kick-Off: Friday, June 18, 13:30 CET.
Port Elizabeth Stadium, Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth.

Of all the teams that played in the first round of matches, none were as impressive as Germany, who demolished Australia 4-0. Serbia were a disappointment, losing 1-0 to Ghana in a game many expected them to win. All of which sets us up nicely for today's lunchtime encounter.

The Nationalmannschaft ripped Australia to pieces, scoring twice in the opening half hour before adding another double in the second half. We heard few complaints from Jogi Loew's side about the controversial Jabulani ball. Then it emerged that the said ball has been used in the Bundesliga for the past six months. German organisation and all that...

Many pundits were left with egg on their faces after Serbia slumped to defeat against Ghana. Of particular concern was that the eastern Europeans only managed a paltry two shots on target in the whole match. Being favourites is a title that doesn't sit comfortably with them but they surely can't play as poorly as that again. After all, this is their first tournament as an independent nation and motivation will be high not to exit in the first round.

In the only head to head meeting between these two teams in 2008 it finished 2-1 to Germany. You'll get odds of 8.50 on a repeat of that scoreline again today.


Germany Tips
Keeping faith with Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski paid off handsomely for coach Loew against Australia. Klose is an excellent 5.0 to score first while Podolski is 5.50 to do the same. For any time scorer the odds shorten to 2.0 for Klose and 2.20 for Podolski.

After taking the lead in a barnstorming start to their last game, Germany are 1.44 to grab the opener today. A repeat of their 4-0 win is a long shot at 29.0

Serbia Tips
Knowing that Serbia need to get a result, the odds of 3.10 on them opening the scoring are generous. Then again, they didn't exactly batter Ghana the other day so tread carefully. Nemanja Vidic is an inviting 11.0 to score at any time and, as we've seen with Manchester United, he is capable of making an impact from set pieces. Like Klose at Bayern, Nikola Zigic had a disappointing club season, but will surely start today and he is priced at 4.0 to score at any time. The gifted Milos Krasic is a worthwhile 7.0 to grab a goal during the 90 minutes.

Verdict
After Germany's brilliant start, their outright odds on winning the tournament shortened, as did their winning potential in this one to 1.64. By that token Serbia's odds shot out and they are now 6.25 to win today. Bear in mind that the last time Germany lost a match in the group stage of a World Cup there was a West before the Germany and Serbia was a part of Yugoslavia. A more realistic bet is to give yourself a double chance on a Serbia win/draw at 2.15.

Elsewhere, under 10 corners at 1.94 has some legs on it. Between them, these sides managed just eight in their opening games (Serbia 4, Germany 4) while Australia actually forced more with seven despite their heavy defeat. Over 10 corners today meanwhile is priced at 1.76.

Local Insight
Nils Reschke, Chief Editor Goal.com Germany
"It could be a perfect game for Germany because the young German eagles don't have the pressure they had before the opener, but Serbia do after the loss against Ghana. So they will do ANYTHING to win this game. I expect a really hard game on the pitch, where Serbia will use all their tricks against the young German team.

I don't believe Serbia can win the game but we'll have to see how confident Germany will be in centre defence against a better team. Against Australia they had problems in the beginning. For me Arne Friedrich is still a risk. We will see. Our offence is strong without a doubt. But will Mesut Oezil or Thomas Mueller play brilliantly again against hard playing Serbians? On the other hand: Schweinsteiger, Klose and Podolski have enough know-how to play against such opponents. My tip is 1-1 but I hope for a 1-0 victory for Germany."

Odds on 1-1 draw: 7.50

Odds on 1-0 Germany win: 6.0