Joachim Low aiming high
Published:
How many will Germany win by?
Minnows of European football, San Marino, sit rock-bottom of World Cup qualifying Group C, and as many punters would’ve told you before a ball had been kicked in this competition, they won’t be going to Russia.
It’s the taking part that counts, of course, but La Serenissima now face the unenviable task of going to the Grundig Stadion on Saturday to face the might of Germany. It’s expected to be a high-scoring night for Joachim Low’s men – but just how many will they win by?
Germany chasing a perfect record
The Germans go at the opposite end of the rankings, sitting proudly atop the group, enjoying a 100 per cent record and five-point advantage over nearest rivals Northern Ireland. They can act now to secure the early saver flights to Russia.
Another convincing win here would move them even closer to their goal of retaining that perfect qualification record, and there are very few sane football fans out there tipping anything other than a landslide German win – every grand down earning you a shiny new quid when backing the home win at Coral.
Stats make San Marino nervous
With even the big-hitters priced out of an interest on a German win in the match betting, it looks a case of calling how many they’ll do the business by. A look through previous meetings between these sides shows the size of the task that awaits San Marino. They were beaten 8-0 when last crossing paths in this group back in November, Serge Gnabru grabbing a hat-trick. The Germans were, unsurprisingly, 2-0 up inside 10 minutes that day.
In the three matches that have already taken place between Germany and San Marino throughout history, the aggregate score reads Germany 27 – 0 San Marino. We shouldn’t laugh. That’s worth keeping in mind if playing the handicap markets.
Hector to get amongst the goals
We expect a much-changed line-up from Joachim Low, giving a number of the nation’s young talent a run-out for the national team, but it’s useful to know defender Jonas Hector bagged a double when these two last met, one either side of half-time.
The FC Koln left back is expected to be given more game time here, and will surely get chances to enhance his tally. Hector is 10/1 to score first on Saturday evening, a handy 17/10 to hit the net at any time during play, or 13/2 to repeat the feat of last time and get two or more goals.
