Germany begins their campaign to repeat as World Cup champions on Sunday as they face Mexico in Group F action at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Midfielder Toni Kroos has already declared that the 2018 edition of Die Mannschaft is better than their 2014 counterparts, particularly in the area of possession. In 2014, a group of players that had lost in the semifinals in 2006 and 2010 finally broke through to win, led by Lukas Podolski, Miroslav Klose, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Philip Lahm, but they have retired from the international soccer scene. They face a Mexico team that has reached the knockout round in six straight World Cups. Can Mexico use their speed to pull off an upset, or will Germany make an emphatic statement at the start of group play? We have your World Cup odds preview on this matchup for you to consider as you put your wagers together.
Germany vs Mexico 2018 World Cup Odds Preview
When: Sunday, June 17, 2018, 11:00am ETWhere: Luzhniki Stadium, MoscowTV: FS1Radio: NoneLive Stream:fuboTV2018 World Cup Odds: Germany -198 / Draw +348 / Mexico +622 / O/U 2.5
Why should you bet on Germany?
These two teams met at the Confederations Cup in 2017 — a competition to which Germany sent basically a second-team roster — and the Germans swept the floor with Mexico in a 4-1 rout. So there is that recent history. They enter this tournament with the top ranking in the world, thanks in part to an undefeated run in UEFA qualification, in which they outscored the opposition by a combined score of 43-4. Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer had faced questions about match fitness but looked solid in both of the German friendlies last week.
The Germans have a wealth of offensive weapons, none more prolific than Thomas Muller, who is eighth on the list of all-time World Cup goal scorers with 10. More than a quarter of his goals for the German national team have come in the World Cup. The fact that Germany has won ten of their last 11 meetings against El Tri is also something to consider.
Why should you bet on Mexico?
Defending champions often hit a snag in the next World Cup. Brazil was the last team to repeat as champions — and those Cups took place in 1958 and 1962. Three of the last four defending champions did not make it out of the group stage in the next Cup, posting a combined record of five wins, five losses and a draw. Italy (2010) and France (2002) did not even win a single group game. The last team to win a Cup and then advance even as far as the semifinals was Brazil, back in 1998. So there is definitely the potential for some slippage for the Germans, at least from a historical perspective.
Mexico finished atop CONCACAF qualifying, with a 6-3-1 record in their ten matches in the Hexagonal qualification round. They are ranked #15 in the world but have lost in the round of 16 in six consecutive World Cups. Guillermo Ochoa is one of the staunchest goalkeepers in the world, and Carlos Vela and Javier Hernandez key a speedy attack up front. The hope for Mexico is that their speed can frustrate the Germans and generate chances at the net.
Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction
Yes, Mexico did come in first in CONCACAF qualifying, but they did not have their usual challenge from the United States, as the Yanks pulled off a petulant campaign in qualification, seeing Jurgen Klinsmann leave as national team manager and Bruce Arena come in to oversee a dismal effort the rest of the way. It’s hard to argue that Mexico have what it takes to keep up with the Germans, and I’m predicting a 3-0 win for Die Mannschaft, as Germany should have a much easier time than they did in the Confederations Cup with their full complement of players and will take the second half easy, playing defense.
