Euro 2016 Group C: Goals expected in Germany’s opener against Ukraine
Published:
Sam Barnard, Assistant Sports Editor | June 10, 2016
Germany v Ukraine
- Euro 2016 Group C
- Sunday, June 12th
- Kick-off: 20:00 BST
- Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Lille
- Live on BBC One
Germany must belie recent form
World Cup winners Germany begin their quest for Euro 2016 glory against Group C rivals Ukraine, but come into the clash on the back of three losses in their last five fixtures, so they are 5/1 with Coral to suffer another upset.
However, Die Mannschaft are renowned for turning up on the big stage and performing when it matters, which makes them the odds-on 8/13 match favourites for success.
In the Germans’ defence too, two of their losses came against fellow footballing giants France and England, while they smashed Italy 4-1 during that run too.
Ukraine, though, are in fine form, having won each of their last four internationals, while are six games undefeated.
Ukraine can find at least a goal
With the likes of 26-year-old attacking stars Andriy Yarmolenko and Yevhen Konoplyanka, as well as veteran Anatoliy Tymoshchuk, who knows German football well, in their squad, a shock is certainly possible.
In five meetings in their current form (not counting West Germany v Soviet Union) the two nations have met five time, with three of them being draws including a 3-3 outcome last time out in 2011. Another share of the spoils, therefore, is tempting at 14/5.
Dynamo Kiev’s Yarmolenko and Konoplyanka, of Sevilla, have been on target multiple times in Ukraine’s recent run, and are respective 11/4 and 4/1 shouts to net again anytime in Lille.
With Germany boasting a wealth of attacking talent too, why not take tasty odds of 19/10 for both teams to score and either side wins?
Germany very top heavy
Those in line to get goals for Joachim Low’s men are tournament specialist Thomas Muller (7/2 to net first), frontman Mario Gomez (6/5 anytime), Mario Gotze (5/4), who hit the winning World Cup final strike, and supersub Andre Schurrle (6/1 to score last).
Exciting youngsters such as Leroy Sane and Julian Draxler will be hoping to get on the pitch at some stage too, and are respective 2/1 and 7/2 chances in the anytime market.
Germany are perhaps weakest at the back, due to stars such as Philipp Lahm and Per Mertesacker retiring after winning the 2014 World Cup, while new Bayern Munich signing Mats Hummels has been ruled out of this clash.
With the Germans being undefeated from their five meetings with Ukraine, they are 27/10 to win and both teams score.
Die Mannschaft and their Eastern European counterparts have produced a total of 11 goals between them in their last two battles, so enticing odds of 23/10 say there’ll be over 3.5 once more.
Related
What does Coral football ambassador Alan Shearer think ahead of this game? Here are his thoughts on Germany v Ukraine:
Coral’s top tip: Germany are 27/10 to win with both teams scoring.
