2014 World Cup Free Picks: United States vs. Germany

12 p.m., Thursday, June 26 – Arena Pernambuco, Recife (ESPN)

Match Betting Lines

Germany are -133 favorites in their group play finale against the United States who are underdogs at the price of +600. The draw can be bet for +170 and the total is listed at 2.5 goals.

United States

The USA were unlucky not to pick up all three points against Portugal. Still, if you told Jurgen Klinsmann’s team they would be sitting on four points headed into their match with Germany, they’d take it! Now the States are fit with the task to beat their manager’s home country, although a draw would be good enough to see them through to the next stages of the World Cup. So far this team has been impressive despite being logged into this ‘Group of Death’ they so unfortunately were pitted into when the draw was made last December. Clint Dempsey has scored in each of his team’s matches. A third would be huge for his country’s World Cup ambitions.

Germany

Powerful in attack, six goals has been the result for Germany through its first two matches. Now they will look to progress through to the elimination stages as well as that top spot in Group D. As deep and attack-minded as any team in the field, the Germans have a rather conventional look about them. They are known for scoring and pushing forward and they do it extremely well. However the match against Ghana pointed out flaws in defense that is seen as their lone weakness and a point of worry for the rest of the tournament. Playing from behind is not ideal. Germany is at their best when frontrunners.

Match Analysis

Both teams, whether risky or not, would take a draw here. That being said, neither is going to leave to chance the slightest possibility either may miss out on the Round of 16. Germany knows that in an attacking match, the USA cannot meet them half way. The underdogs want this game to be a gritty tie with a lot of tough nosed defense and play in the middle of the field. Whoever can assert their style of play is sure to get the better of this match-up. The heat of Recife will be another point of emphasis in this crucial match.

Key Injuries, Suspensions, Yellow Cards

The US will again have to rely on others as Jozy Altidore remains out with his hamstring issue. Germany will be expected to field the same starting XI.

Josh’s Pick

The quality the United States has shown thus far will certainly have exceeded the expectations of this team from a very difficult group. Now with the chance to advance, expectations have grown. That being said, Germany is arguably the toughest team the States could draw in a match they need to get a result from.  They won’t make it easy. The USA brings a quality game to the pitch, but Germany will be the better side, 2-1.

Doc’s Sports has full coverage of the 2014 World Cup and more articles throughout this summer’s major soccer tournament. Strike Point Sports is one of the top soccer handicappers with their success on the big tournament stage. From the 2006 World Cup, Euro 2008, 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012, SPS earned $100 clients over $8,200 in profit from these four major events. This summer’s World Cup is going to be another moneymaking opportunity, and they are looking forward to their soccer selections and another winning tournament.

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