This is a duel between the biggest outsider and the absolute favourite of the group and it is very important for both teams, because the victory can take them to the round of sixteen, with the proviso that Korea is not holding everything in their hands, and they need Mexico to win, while the Germans with the victory of two goals difference will certainly get in the knockout stage. The Germans were really lucky, and the current situation is even better than the game they showed in the first two rounds, while South Korea was expectedly feisty and no one was able to break them completely in the first two rounds, though they do not have any points. The last time these rivals met was in 2004, when South Korea celebrated in a friendly match with 3-1.
The Koreans have lost the matches in the first two rounds, but there is nothing to object to this team, because they expectedly given their maximum in both matches and were not an easy rival to either Sweden or Mexico. With a little more luck they could have played at least a draw, which would have significantly improved their odds for placement in the round of sixteen, though of course they are awaiting the toughest match now. In addition to two defeats, South Korea can win the round of sixteen, with the proviso that they would have to overcome Germany and send the current world champions home, and this is still too big of a bite for this team. It is also a bad thing that even a victory is not a guarantee if Mexico does not overcome Sweden, so the Koreans are objectively far behind the round of sixteen.
But that does not mean that this team will not give their maximum in this match of the last round and until the last referee whistle play the best they can. In the first round they played very badly and did not win against Sweden or created any opportunities, so even one goal received was enough to lose. They looked much better against Mexico, and they had their opportunities, but defensively they were not on the bets level and they received two goals from the game. Only in injury time, the best player of this team, striker Son, has scored for 2-1 and that goal leaves hope. Coach Yong Shin was forced to replace left back because of injury and M.W Kim played instead, while Ju and Moon were refreshments on the midfield. Now we do not expect any new changes.
Probable lineups South Korea: H.W Cho – Y.Lee, H.S Jang, Y.G Kim, M.W Kim – S.J Ju, S.Y Ki – S.M Moon, J.S Lee, H.C Hwang – H.M Son
After two rounds, Germany has a good chance to qualify in the round of sixteen, but the current world champions are literally seconds away from their elimination from the World Cup right after the group stage. It turned out that duel against Mexico in the first round was not just a bad day, although this could be concluded even after their friendly matches ahead of their arrival in Russia. They were not at the level of the best team on FIFA rankings even against Sweden in the second round, though they dominated and created opportunities at the very beginning. The panic came when they received the first goal and went on a break with 0:1. They managed to equalize at the start of the second half and it made things a little easier because they had enough time to win, but this was only in the last seconds of the injury time when Kroos scored a beautiful goal.
If the result remained so, they would now have to win and wait for Sweden to lose against Mexico, while now, they need a victory of two goals difference to qualify in the round of sixteen. It can be comforting that they played a little better against Sweden than against Mexico, while coach Low put Rudger instead of Hummels on the center-back. Rudy has replaced Khedira in midfield, but he had to leave the game early due to injury. J.Hector also came back to the left back, while J.Boateng cannot play now, who has received a red card against Sweden while Rudy is questionable. Hummels probably returns, and Gundogan could also jump in. Maybe we even see M.Gomez instead of Draxler, in order to be more offensive.
Probable lineups Germany: Neuer – Kimmich, Hummels, Rudiger, J.Hector – Gundogan, T.Kroos – T.Muller, Reus, Draxler(M.Gomez) – Ti.Werner
The Koreans have proved to be a solid rival who is not easy to defeat, but they are now playing against Germany, who has spent all the credits of their bad games and we are now expecting to see them in the right edition, which will lead to a more convincing victory.
Pick: Asian Handicap -1.5
Germany 1.63 - 63/100 @1XBet