A place in the Nations League final is at stake in Munich on Wednesday, when Germany take on Portugal.
Germany, the only one of the Nations League semi-finalists that are yet to lift the trophy, face the first-ever winners Portugal at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday night.
However, key absentees for the hosts could be a problem, and Roberto Martinez’s Portugal can cause some problems in Munich this week, which is reflected in our bet builder.
Selections
Pays out at 8/1
Portugal to frustrate Germany
Germany’s great run to the quarter-finals of the 2024 European Championships was helped by a brilliant sign-off from Toni Kroos, who produced excellent displays that suggested he could have carried on playing for a couple more years.
Without his control in midfield, Germany do look a little more vulnerable. They blew a 3-0 lead at home to Italy in the second leg of their Nations League quarter-final in March, so their battle with a strong Portuguese midfield could be an issue.
While the hosts are missing Kroos, they are also without some key names due to injury. Antonio Rudiger and Nico Schlotterbeck are both not in the squad, while Jamal Musiala and Kai Havertz remain sidelined.
Germany saw Yann Bisseck go off injured during the Champions League final, while Angelo Stiller pulled out of the squad over the weekend. Stiller started in central midfield in Germany’s last game, so they have selection issues right through the spine of their team.
Portugal boss Martinez led his side to a tense draw with France at last summer’s Euros before being knocked out on penalties, so they are capable of frustrating this under-strength Germany side.
Leg 1: Draw or Portugal double chance @ 1/1
Fernandes can make his mark
Bruno Fernandes is carrying a huge burden for both club and country and he can show he can handle the pressure by finding the back of the net.
Fernandes adds a mobile goal threat which Portugal lack, as wingers Bernardo Silva and Rafael Leao aren’t really seen as finishers.
The Portuguese side will likely be set up to frustrate Germany, with Crisitano Ronaldo isolated up top.
The pace they have out wide should free them up on the counter, but Fernandes is the man they’ll be relying on to supply a finish following Ronaldo’s struggles at last summer’s Euros.
Leg 2: Bruno Fernandes to score at any time @ 9/2
Expect cards in Munich
Portugal have been shown 18 cards across their eight Nations League games so far, while their opponents in those matches have been shown a combined 14 bookings.
Germany were given four cautions across their quarter-final clashes with Italy, but this could be a tougher test for referee Slavko Vincic.
Vincic averaged 4.33 cautions per game at the Euros last summer, while he has shown 15 across his last three Nations League assignments.
The Slovenian also averaged 3.9 bookings per game in the Champions League this season, so over 3.5 cards completes our bet builder.
Leg 3: Over 3.5 cards @ 3/8
