Portugal vs. Germany Quarter Final Prediction

[Shame About Ray]

Euro 2008 – Soccer Betting - Portugal vs. Germany
By D.S Williamson

This is where things start to get interesting for the sports betting community. Group A winner Portugal meets Group B runner-up Germany in the first game of the Euro 2008 betting Quarter Finals. Portugal, led by super human player Cristiano Ronaldo, was nothing less than spectacular in group play.



The Germans were a good online wagering option in their first match against Poland, but lost to Croatia and then almost blew it versus Austria. It took a Michael Ballack free kick in order for the Germans to beat the Austrians in their last match. The Germans just haven’t been as good as advertised going into Euro 2008.

It’s going to take a gargantuan effort from this team in order to beat Ronaldo and Portugal.

Here are the BetUS online betting Euro odds for this match.

Portugal pk - 150 + 135 O 2 - 115 O 1 - 120
U 1 Ev

Germany pk + 130 + 200 U 2 - 105 O ½ - 190
U ½ + 160

Draw + 205

The interesting things about this match are the BetUS wagering odds. Even though Portugal is definitely favored at + 135 on the money-line, plenty of respect has been awarded to the Germans who I thought might be a much bigger underdog then + 200.

Why? Because Germany looked terrible in two out of their three group play games. They were awful against the Croatians and equally awful against the Austrians. How is it possible that the Germans could beat the Portuguese who are playing as well as almost any team in the tournament?

Well, for one, these are the Germans, right? The Germans always find a why to get themselves deep into tournaments. For another, their manager is a man by the name of Oliver Bierhoff. Bierhoff was a great player in his own right and has promised that the Germans will find a way to keep Cristiano Ronaldo on his heels.

Will it be enough?

I’m willing to take a stand and say yes. I love Portugal, and on paper they are definitely a better squad then the Germans, but Michael Ballack and Miroslav Klose are no slouches. They are equally as dangerous as Ronaldo which means that Portugal, which sort of danced through group play, will have to do something different in this game. They will have to play defense. Playing a defensive game is not Portugal’s strength.

The Germans have the ability to strike quickly. This is especially true if the Portuguese are intent on pushing the ball against that German defense. Watch for Ballack and Klose to sprint down the middle of the field while the Portuguese are intent on scoring goals. That could mean nice counter-strike opportunities for the Germans.

Because of that, I like Germany to bounce back in this match. Bierhoff will have is veteran laden team ready.

At the BetUS online sportsbook wagering odds of + 200, I have to take Germany. I’ll be making an online bet on the Germans to beat the Portuguese in this match.

UEFA EURO 2008 betting at BetUS online sportsbook the premiere destination for the worldwide soccer betting