Germany vs Sweden betting preview

The first game in stage two of the World Cup takes place on Saturday when the hosts Germany do battle with Sweden with a place in the World Cup quarter-finals at stake. The two nations have traded punches on twelve occasions, and Germany hold sway having won seven of the dozen matches in question, four ending all square, and just one going to the Scandinavians. However, they haven't met since 1992, so such stats are hardly conclusive. But, the again, it's difficult to see anything other than another victory for the Germans. When watching Germany in action, it's not hard to see the influence of their manager, Jurgen Klinsmann, rubbing off on the side. Indeed, the former striker, one of his countries most successful in modern times, has his charges playing football that is nothing if not attack-minded. Some would say gung-ho. But, however you would describe it, it's effective. Germany emerged from Group A with maximum points and while it's fair to say that they didn't have an especially tough group. It's equally fair to say, though, that they went about their business in good style, producing thoroughly entertaining football, at the heart of which is Chelsea newbie Michael Ballack, and hitman Miroslav Klose, who has weighed in with four of Germany's eight goals so far in this tournament. For their part, Sweden have done little wrong so far. It was disappointing that they failed to score against Trinidad & Tobago in their first game in Group B, but they had more in hand than the one-goal margin when beating Paraguay, and only the woodwork stopped them from beating England when they drew 2-2 with the Three Lions in their final group match. Like Germany, Lars Lagerback has Sweden playing forward-moving football, and as we have seen, the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Henrik Larsson and, of course, Arsenal's attacking midfielder Fredrik Ljungberg, are a real handful for rival defences. However, their finishing is nowhere near as clinical as that of the Germans. Given the style of both sides, one suspects that this game will be high octane, end to end stuff and, one also suspects - and hopes - there will be goals to boot! Indeed, while their will obviously be a degree of caution involved in the approach of both given the magnitude of the game, it's hard to envisage this game failing to produce net-ruffling activity. In my opinion, the 21/20 offered by Paddy Power about 2-3 in the total goals market rates cracking value. The group games in which both nations were involved in produced an overall average of 2.5 goals per game, which lends weight to the credence of this advice. Verdict - 2-3 goals in total goals market @ 21/20 (Paddy power)