The Germans are looking mighty strong. Will they be able to
match their offensive output against Italy in the semis? In terms of which
side's favored, it's Germany of course, but we're first going to focus our
attention on the total for this semi-final.
The main soccer lines have two goals as the number, with the
OVER trading at -140 and the UNDER at +110.
As the only team in the competition to have gone unbeaten in
the group stages, expectations were high for Germany in their quarter-final
matchup with Greece.
They definitely delivered.
The Germans were a class above the normally defensively
disciplined Greeks. They got goals from Philipp Lahm, Sami Khedira, Miroslav
Klose and Marco Reus.
Germans incredibly difficult to beat
It may have been a tad worrying for Joachim Low when
Georgios Samaras equalized in the second half, however his team responded in
typically ruthless fashion, scoring three times in the next 20 minutes.
Germany has scored more goals than any other country in the
competition. They have nine goals, while letting in four thus far.
Meanwhile, Italy has only scored four times, but has allowed
only two.
That type of record screams defensive diligence, but if
you’ve actually been watching these matches, you’ve seen a team that has looked
quite beatable in the back. England didn’t take the initiative at all in the
quarter-finals, but there was definitely space to be exploited as Italy tracked
back.
You know the Germans will be much more willing to take
advantage.
Mesut Ozil (three assists) has been the creative force
behind this team going forward and he’s got so many talented options around him
that it’s going to be crazy difficult for Italy to cope.
Low went with Klose, Reus and Andre Schurrle in his starting
XI for the quarters, leaving out Thomas Muller, Mario Gomez and Lukas Podolski.
Seems risky, right? Well it wasn’t. The former two scored in the win, just
proving how deep this Germany squad really is.
Fireworks in front of goal?
Ozil, Khedira and Bastian Schweinsteiger have been mainstays
in the midfield, but other than those three Low has had the pleasure to call on
a number of different forward-thinking weapons. Young starlets like Mario Gotze
and Toni Kroos have been relegated to mop-up duty, for crying out loud.
As good as the Germans are going forward, they’ve been
suspect in the back at times. For example, they completely fell asleep on
Greece’s first goal in the quarters. They have to do better against the more
threatening Italians.
In the past, Italy has been known for being defensive, but
the philosophy has changed under Cesare Prandelli. The Italians are creating
far more chances now and the statistics back it up. They have 87 total shots as
a team so far in the tournament, 17 more than any other competing nation.
Still, the Italians looked vulnerable against a punchless
England attack and that’s not promising for them with a rested Germany ready
and waiting.
The favorites have had ample time to rest up and prepare a
steel strategy for the Italians. We are expecting a 2-1 or 3-1 win for Germany
and so taking the OVER may be the best avenue with your soccer picks for this
semi-final.
It's true that both teams have been known for their
defensive performances over the years, but times have changed and so have the
mentalities. We are looking out plenty of action in front of net here.
FREE Pick: OVER 2.5 goals (+145)
Be on the lookout
for a pick on the side for this semi-final tomorrow!