World Cup Betting: U.S. Aiming To Keep Composure After Letdown
Group G is completely wide open going into the final set of games, and the Germans will look to take out the Americans on Thursday at the World Cup.
World Cup Betting – The United States let a golden opportunity to pick up three points get away against Portugal, and now they face a huge Group G finale against Germany, who were given all they could handle against Ghana. A draw will get both teams through to the knockout stage as both sit atop the group with four points. This will be the 10th meeting between the two sides, with Germany winning six and losing three to the United States, who were beaten 2-0 in the group stage by the Germans in 1998, and then 1-0 in the 2002 quarterfinal.
United States vs Germany
Thursday, June 26th – 12:00 PM ET
World Cup Odds: Germany -145, United States +950, Draw +170
O/U: 2.5
United States
The Americans battled back from a 1-0 deficit with second-half goals by Jermaine Jones and Clint Dempsey, and they were 30 seconds away from a crucial victory over Portugal before Cristiano Ronaldo’s world-class cross found Varela to force a 2-2 draw. It was what the United States deserved in a match where both teams struggled with the heat, but it still has to sting that they had three points locked up, but let it slip away. A major storyline coming into this match will surround manager Jurgen Klinsmann, who is fourth in German history with 108 caps and tied for third with 47 goals. Klinsmann also won the 1990 World Cup with Germany, along with Euro 1996 and as a manager, he led Germany to third at the 2006 World Cup.
Germany
Germany looked like they were cruising to victory after Mario Gotze scored in the 51st minute, but then Ghana scored twice and substitute Miroslav Klose had to score to earn the Germans a 2-2 draw. It was Klose’s 15th goal at the World Cup, tying him with the Brazilian Ronaldo for most in the tournament’s history, and it couldn’t have come at a better time as the Germans were on the ropes for a major part of the second half and it highlighted the deficiencies in their defense, which is something many worried about coming into the World Cup. Manager Joachim Low was an assistant under Klinsmann in 2006 and took over the team when Klinsmann left after his contract was done. To say these men know each other very well is something of an understatement.
Total
You would think this would be an over since both teams play an open style of soccer, especially Germany, and they still might go for it a little. However, the Americans will be happy with a draw to finish second in the group on goal difference and they can’t get too attack-minded or Germany will slaughter them. This will be more conservative than most think as both go through to the next round of the World Cup.
Prediction: Germany, under
