Football Results

The first match in the Group F is the first match for reigning champions of the world, the Germans. They start defence of the title won four years ago in Brazil with match against Mexico, for which this is the seventh consecutive World Cup. Germany had a perfect score in the qualifications with 10 victories although it had problems in friendlies but it won the last such match. Mexico easily went through the qualifications and it also didn’t make a name for itself in friendlies, it even lost the last match. The two teams met at the Confederation Cup last year and the Germans won by sound 4-1.

Germany

Everything went well, almost perfect for Germany since the Euro in France from two years ago when it was eliminated in the semi-finals by the host team. It’s done the qualifications for the World Cup with maximal 10 victories, while last summer it won the Confederation Cup in Russia last year, when it played with completely different team. All that showed how much the Mannschaft is actually strong and the Germans are declared as the strongest favourites to win the World Cup. Still, after the qualifiers Germany played series of friendlies in which number of problems surfaced.

They drew with three very strong teams; England, France and Spain and then came the first defeat since the one by France at the Euro 2016. They lost to Brazil which will be their strongest competitor at the World Cup in Russia. Despite losing at home the defeat is acceptable unlike the one by Austria when they lost after having a lead of 2-1. It was the fifth consecutive match without victory, which is unheard for Germany. The winless streak has ended with victory over Saudi Arabia, although the Germans didn’t exactly make a name for themselves in that match. Manager Low had surprised everyone with omitting forward L. Sane from the roster, while Ozil and Khedir had problems with injuries but now they should be ready.

Probable lineups Germany: Neuer – Kimmich, J. Boateng, Hummels, J. Hector – T. Kroos, Khedira – Draxler, T. Muller, Ozil – Ti. Werner

Mexico

The Mexicans play for the seventh consecutive time at World Cups and by that it is clear they have achieved the first objective which was to continue tradition of playing at World Cup. Now, the second objective is in the sights and that is to win one of first two places in the group and again reach the round of 16, which is something they achieved at six previous World Cups. If they achieve that the next target would be to finally pass the round of 16, something they didn’t since 1986 when they were the hosts. Still, it is too early to think about the knockout phase as the group is difficult and it would be nice if they avoid defeat against very strong opponent. The rival is not in the best possible shape, but Mexico is not either. It did the qualifications with ease, which was expected but the friendlies didn’t unfold as expected.

The Mexicans lost to Croatia, which played with a changed team, and they failed to win Wales, so as a consolation prize can be considered draw with the Belgians, and victories over Poland, Iceland and Scotland. It is very worrying that they played weakly the last friendly with Denmark, which they lost 2-0. It was a test for duel with Sweden that could be the key in the group phase for them. The Mexicans can console themselves with fact that they received both goals after manager Osori made all allowed changes in the team. In the end defenders D. Reyes and Arauyo couldn’t join the team due to injuries, which is definitely a handicap but Guardado, G. dos Santos and J. dos Santos have recovered and all three will be starters against Denmark. Mexico has problem with weak form of its forward Chcharito, and perhaps Perlata be the starter instead.

Probable lineups Mexico: Ochoa – Layun, Salcedo, Moreno, Gallardo – Herrera, Guardado – Vela, J. dos Santos, Lozano – Chicharito(Peralta)

Verdict:

The Germans are favourites to win although they did show certain weaknesses in latest friendlies, which the Mexicans can use. It is hard to say is Mexico ready to win Germany but it can score for sure, which is something that we definitely expect from the reigning champions of the world.

Pick: both teams to score 1.94 - 94/100 @1XBet