Germany vs Russia
These are strange times indeed in world football. Quite recently, the best side on the planet, Germany, is now desperate to win a home match against Russia.
Now that’s no disrespect to Russia of course. Head coach Stanislav Cherchesov oversaw a transformation of his national side as they hosted the 2018 World Cup and reached the latter stages, playing with more flair than we’d seen from them in more than a generation. Meanwhile, Joachim Low, once the most revered coach in the international game, is now under pressure, having watched his infinitely talented and super efficient side become a beatable team, almost overnight.
So the International FriendlyGermany vs Russia is not the rollover we would have predicted six months ago. Here at SBOBET we still think the Germans will win, the world hasn’t gone entirely mad. But we aren’t as sure of this team as we once were…
Talking Points
What has happened to Germany?
There used to be a popular joke in France: ‘Football is a game between two teams of eleven…and then Germany wins!’ But how times have changed, and so quickly. Les Bleus are now the World Champions, while Germany hasn’t even had time to lick its wounds after a disastrous campaign in Russia, before they began to get mauled again in Europe’s new international competition.
With just a solitary point so far in the UEFA Nations League, Germany sits at the bottom of Group A1 after losing to both France and the Netherlands, the Oranje giving Low’s team a 3-0 hiding.
All didn’t seem well in Russia and Mesut Ozil’s public spat with the German FA was unedifying, to say the least. The old guard were world beaters but they need freshening up. Mats Hummels, Thomas Muller and Toni Kroos are all pushing 30, though it’s not time to write them off just yet. And there is no shortage of talent in the next group of players. Unfortunately for Low, Julian Draxler has withdrawn from this squad for personal reasons, but Leroy Sane has been welcomed back into the fold and if he can add some constancy to his electrifying pace and skill then Low will have a real talent on his hands.
So why has Germany struggled so much in recent times? It’s still not entirely clear, and it would be foolish to write them off.
Can Russia continue its climb?
In contrast, they are loving their football in Russia at the moment, having been on an incredible journey in the World Cup, eventually losing on penalties to finalists Croatia. But there has been something of a revolution, as Cherchesov has transformed them from a turgid national side into an attacking outfit, capable of smashing five past the Czech Republic in September.
Russia has started well in Group B2 of the UEFA Nations League, top on seven points in a tricky group containing World Cup quarter-finalists Sweden.
But in the absence of Denis Cheryshev, Roman Neustadter is the only player from outside the Russian league to be selected for this clash. Both were on target in Russia’s October 2-0 win over Turkey which gave them control of the group. Cherchesov’s team weren’t in total control of that game, conceding 60 per cent possession to the Turkish side, and the shot count was pretty even. But the Russians have momentum and they continue to play with confidence and Fenerbahce’s midfielder Neustadter could be key.
But they simply don’t have Germany’s quality and I think they may have reached their peak.
History
Germany are four times winners of the World Cup, the last time in 2014, and three times winners of the European Championships, so they will naturally expect to win the UEFA Nations League at some point. But it’s highly unlikely to be this time!
Russia’s fantastic run to the quarterfinals of the World Cup equalled their best effort in history, and they come into this game in the better form. While Germany has back-to-back defeats, the visitors will arrive in Leipzig with three wins in four since the World Cup.
The head-to-head Germany vs Russia results are in the hosts’ favour by three wins to zero and one draw, but with the last meeting back in 2009, that won’t pray on Russia’s minds too much.
Betting Tip
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Germany vs Russia | Germany Asian Handicap -1.50 @ 1.90 |
| November 16, 03:45 (GMT+8) |
The Germany vs Russia odds point clearly to a home win, and that makes it a must win for Joachim Low. Germany hasn’t dropped as low as getting used to losing, and another reversal on Thursday would be a serious shock all round. At 1.30 for a home win, 4.80 the draw and 9.50 for a Russian victory, the value is in handicap betting and I expect the hosts to win by two clear goals.
When you look at the players he has at his disposal, Low is sure to haul Germany back up to respectability.
2-0 is the most likely score at odds of 5.60, and that would do the Germany boss quite nicely.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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|---|---|---|---|
| = €20 (Highly confident) |
 = €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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