Germany vs. Portugal: UEFA Nations League prediction, odds, lineups

The UEFA Nations League has reached its semifinal stage, featuring a significant encounter between Portugal and Germany at the Allianz Arena. The winner of this match will secure a place in the final scheduled for Sunday, June 8.

Germany has shown remarkable improvement under Julian Nagelsmann, currently enjoying an eight-match unbeaten streak since their elimination from the Euros by Spain. Aiming to regain their status as strong contenders for major international tournaments like the World Cup, securing a victory against Portugal would mark a crucial step forward in this objective.

Despite a convincing 5-2 win to reach this stage, Portugal`s defense has appeared vulnerable recently, conceding goals in four of their last five games. This trend suggests that Germany will likely find opportunities to score during the match.

Kickoff has been delayed by 10 minutes due to hail at the Allianz Arena.

Match Details & Odds

Last Encounter

Germany and Portugal last faced each other during the Euros in 2021 in a memorable match. Germany took an early 2-1 lead in the first half and extended their advantage after halftime with goals from Kai Havertz and Robin Gosens. The final score of 4-2 in favor of Germany highlighted potential vulnerabilities in Portugal`s defensive setup.

Best Bet

Florian Wirtz to have 2+ shots on target (+290): While rumors about his future with clubs like Liverpool might circulate, Florian Wirtz`s primary focus will be on helping Germany reach the Nations League final. As a central figure in the German attack, he is expected to create numerous shooting opportunities against Portugal`s defense. Considering Wirtz`s capability to strike from various positions and Germany`s current lack of a prolific central striker, betting on him to register at least two shots on target seems promising.

Predicted Lineups

Germany: Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Robin Gosens, Robin Koch, Jonathan Tah, Joshua Kimmich, Lein Goretzka, Pascal Gross, Serge Gnabry, Florian Wirtz, Leroy Sane, Niclas Fullkrug

Portugal: Diogo Costa, Nuno Mendes, Goncalo Inacio, Ruben Dias, Diogo Dalot, Vitinha, Joao Neves, Rafael Leao, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Cristiano Ronaldo

Player to Watch

Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal: The question of whether Cristiano Ronaldo should still start for Portugal remains a topic of debate. Given the depth of attacking talent available, including Diogo Jota, Gonçalo Ramos, and Pedro Neto, manager Roberto Martinez could potentially employ a more fluid tactical approach. However, as long as Ronaldo is expected to be in the starting XI, Portugal`s tactical flexibility may be somewhat limited. Despite the debate, Ronaldo continues to be a goal threat, having scored four times in his last five appearances for the national team. Notably, the two recent matches where Portugal failed to win were ones where Ronaldo did not score. Therefore, neutralizing him could be key to Germany`s success.

Prediction

Germany`s squad depth and Julian Nagelsmann`s tactical flexibility are anticipated to be decisive factors. Even if Portugal manages to score first, it is unlikely to be sufficient to prevent Germany from securing a victory. With Florian Wirtz in excellent form and a roster of players capable of causing problems for the opposition, Germany is well-placed to advance to the Nations League final.

Pick: Germany 3, Portugal 2