Venue: Durban, South Africa
The first match in highly competitive Group D takes place in Durban on day three of the tournament, at 20:30 local time. One of though toughest groups in the stage, with Germany and Australia alongside Ghana and Serbia, this should be an interesting one to watch – Only the Group of Death, Group G, with Brazil, the Ivory Coat and Portugal looks trickier to get through than this one.
Germany, who hosted the last World Cup and came third, as well as coming second in Euro 2008, look like a strong proposition in this match, but Australia, who made it through 2006’s “group of death”, will be tough competition after an impressive qualifying performance.
Germany are the firm favourites to win the fixture, with odds on at about 4/7 from most World Cup bookmakers. An Australia win is offered at 5/1 from most bookies, with bet365 offering 6/1. Odds for the draw are currently 11/4.
In the correct score market, it is around 5/1 for both 1-0 and 2-0 to the Germans, with 9/1 for 3-0. For Australia you can get 9/1 for 1-0 and as much as 33/1 for 2-0.
Other Germany wins are offered at, for example, 7/1 for 2-1 and 9/1 for 3-1.
A 1-1 or 0-0 draw both fetch around 13/2.
This shows that, compared with other games, bookmakers are placing themselves with a fair degree of confidence on a Germany win, even a fairly high scoring one.
Germany are at 3/4 to keep a clean sheet, showing again, a lot of confidence from the bookmakers in this German team, with Australia at 4/1.
William Hill offer 8-1 on there being an own goal in this match.
For Germany to come from behind to win is offered at 7/1, also by William Hill Sportsbook, whereas Australia coming from behind is priced at present at 18/1.
Prediction
Germany will be keen, as one of the favourites, to prove their credentials in the group stage, despite tough opposition. Whilst Australia have a good chance of getting through the group, it is hard to see anybody but Germany winning this game.
With players like Klose, winner of the Golden Boot at the last tournament, there is a good chance Germany will put more than one goal past the opposition, and it will be hard for Australia to find their way past the tough German defence.
The prediction is therefore a win for Germany at 2-0, offered in the current market at about 5/1.
