Germany vs Ivory Coast
As someone who (fairly confidently) tipped Germany to win Euro 2024 on home soil, I’m reluctant to show my hand this time around.
However, deep down, I actually think the fact the majority of pundits are talking about European champions Spain, Italy and holders Argentina may play into Die Mannschaft’s hands.
Now we should not forget that is a team which has been stunned in two successive World Cups (the first time as reigning world champions) by being sent home at the group stages.
But perhaps being a little out of the spotlight compared to the aforementioned trio will help them deliver World Cup 2026 highlights aplenty this time around.
Talking Points
There is certainly little chance of them going home early again with the new format in which 32(!) sides qualify for an extra knockout round.
There is even less chance when such minnows as Curacao have qualified and no chance whatsoever when you consider the Germans beat them 7-1 in their opening match.
Now I don’t read anything about their tournament chances into that result but it was a timely reminder of the talent at Julian Nagelsmann’s disposal.
He relies on a core of players from the country’s dominant club side, Bayern Munich, and Jonathan Tah, Aleksandar Pavlovic, Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka and Jamal Musiala could all have roles to play, as no doubt will veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who recently came out of international retirement to play in his fifth World Cup.
Up front could be where the gap falls for they don’t appear to have a player who can take over the goalscoring mantle some of their more recent predecessors such as Jurgen Klinsmann, Rudi Voeller and Miroslav Klose.
One of the players of the tournament for me could be Musiala.
The Bayern man is considered by some to be the crown jewel of Germany’s midfield, renowned for his elite close control, ability to break defensive lines and creative vision.
The playmaker netted three times at Euro 2024 and, after recovering from a broken leg and dislocated ankle, returned to Bayern for the final third of the season with the German champions.
The thrashing of Curacaoo means they have now won 10 straight matches since a 2-0 defeat in their qualifier in Slovakia in September and seem to have found a system which brings the best out of Musiala, Kai Havertz and Florian Wirtz, while Felix Nmecha is growing in stature all the time.
In theory, this will be the best game in group E.
Ivory Coast left it late to see off Ecuador, thanks to an instinctive finish from Man Utd man Amad Diallo, although the game could have gone either way as Ecuador struck the woodwork three times before their two year unbeaten run was ended in dramatic fashion.
As my Esteemed SBOTOP colleague pointed out a few weeks ago, Diallo is one of a number of exciting youngsters to have caught the eye for Les Elephants. In their final pre-tournament friendly, he scored an 84th minute winner to beat Les Bleus and he is a player who can stretch a defence with his mazy runs.
Watch out also for Strasbourg’s 23 year-old wing-back Guele Doue and Bazoumana Toure, who plays his club football in Germany with Hoffenheim.
Another player tipped for stardom is 19 year-old Yan Diomande – a winger who left home at the age of 15 to move to Florida in search of his big break before catching the eye in La Liga with Leganes and earning a move to RB Leipzig.
One player who won’t be involved this weekend is forward Elye Wahi who has been denied entry to Canada. The Nice forward was reportedly arrested last month over alleged involvement in spot-fixing in Ligue 1.
He has been accused of deliberately earning a yellow card while playing for Nice against Metz in May.
They will hope to have him back soon because, after facing Germany in Toronto, the Ivory Coast play Curacao in Philadelphia next Thursday.
History
A friendly in November 2009 is the only time the teams have locked horns.
That was in the November of that year in Munich when the spoils (and four goals) were shared.
Łukasz Podolski had put the Germans into a 12th minute lead, cancelled out by Emmanuel Eboue 12 minutes after the restart.
When Seydou Doumbia scored with five minutes remaining the Ivorians scented an impressive victory, but Podolski rescued the draw with his second goal of the game as the clocked turned 90.
Betting Tip
With the SBOTOP World Cup 2026 betting odds, Germany are firm favourites and that is no surprise given they have just hit seven (albeit against complete minnows).
Ivory Coast will be a level above, even if they rode their luck at times before seeing off Ecuador in their Group E opener.
You can back the Germans 1X2 @ 1.54 and Asian Handicap -1.50 @ 2.49 – my *** tip – or Les Elephants 1X2 @ 5.60 and Asian Handicap +0.75 @ 2.29.
The draw is on offer @ 4.26, while a repeat of their sole meeting to date – approaching 17 years ago – will pay out @ 17.00.
If you fancy fewer goals, then how about Total Goal 0-1 @ 3.83 or under 2.50 @ 2.28. Alternatively, how about Total Goals 2-3 @ 2.05. 4-6 @ 2.82 and Over 3.25 @ 2.38?
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT)
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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