2014 FIFA World Cup – Round of 16
Germany vs Algeria
Estádio José Pinheiro Borba (Beira-Rio) – Porto Alegre, Brazil
Monday, June 30, 2014, 4:00 pm Eastern, TV: ESPN, Univision
Money Line: Germany -360 / Algeria +1000 / Draw +485
Point Line: Germany -1.5 -118 / Algeria +1.5 -102
Total: over 3 -110 / under 3 -110
Odds to advance to quarterfinals: Germany -825 / Algeria +600
All odds courtesy of Bookmaker
Amazingly, Germany has not won a major international tournament since the 1996 European Championship. After two straight third place finishes in 2006 and 2010, Germany looks to take home their fourth World Cup trophy and first since East and West Germany reunited in the early 90’s. Germany begins the round of 16 against upstart Algeria Monday in Porto Alegre. The winner will face either France or Nigeria in the quarterfinals Friday.
Germany is making their 18th trip to the World Cup, and they have won it three times the last in 1990. They have also been the runner-up four times. Germany was placed in the Group G with Portugal, Ghana and the United States, widely considered the so called group of death. Germany opened with a 4-0 smashing of Portugal and then played Ghana to a 2-2 draw. That set up a match against the U.S. for the group title. The USA also had 4 points but Germany had a better goal differential so Germany would clinch the group title with a win or a draw, and the United States had to win. Germany would win 1-0 to secure first. The U.S. still ended up finishing second in the group after Portugal beat Ghana 2-1 in the other group match Thursday. Both the United States and Portugal had four points but the U.S. advanced on goal differential.
Algeria is making their fourth appearance in the World Cup and second straight, but they have never made it out of the group stage until now. Algeria was drawn in to Group H of the 2014 World Cup with Belgium, Russia and South Korea. Belgium would win the group with one goal victories over all three teams. Algeria opened with a 2-1 loss to Belgium and then beat South Korea 4-2. Algeria needed only a point against Russia to secure a berth in the knockout round. They were down early 6 minutes in 1-0 after Russia scored. Algeria tied it up at 60 minutes on a goal from Islam Slimani. The Desert Foxes would hold on for the draw to secure passage with 4 points in the group.
Algeria has won both meetings against Germany, including a famous 2-1 upset in the 1982 World Cup group stage against then West Germany. Still West Germany would later beat Austria in that tournament and both teams advanced over Algeria. The only other meeting between Germany and Algeria was in 1964.
Germany is coached by Joachim Low. Germany will use a 4-3-3 formation. Forward Thomas Muller has 4 goals and one assist in the World Cup. Only Colombia’s James Rodriguez has more goals with 5. Muller won the Golden Boot Award at the 2010 World Cup given to the top goal scorer. Forward Mario Gotze came off the bench against the US but is expected to start against Algeria. Midfielders Bastian Schweinsteiger and Philipp Lahm are also quality scorers. Miroslav Klose will come off the bench, and needs one more goal to become the career leader in World Cup goals with 16. He is tied with Brazil’s Ronaldo right now with 15. Keeper Manuel Neuer allowed 2 goals against Ghana but kept clean sheets against Portugal and the US.
Germany is outscoring teams 7-2 in the World Cup. They have 5 open play and 2 set piece goals. Germany has 36 shots including 23 on target. They have completed 16 of 67 crosses and have been called offsides 10 times. Germany has 9 blocks and 9 saves. The Germans have won 16 of 49 tackles. Germany has completed 1,792 passes.
Algeria is coached by Vahid Halilhodzic. Algeria will use a 4-2-3-1 formation. Defender and captain Madjid Bougheera is expected to return to the line-up after sitting in the last match against Russia in hopes of avoiding a second yellow card. Forward Slimani has 2 goals and an assist. Yacine Brahimi, Abdelmoumene Djabou, and Sofiane Feghouli each have a goal and an assist. Keeper Rais M’Bolhi has allowed 5 goals in three matches.
Algeria is outscoring teams 6-5 in the World Cup. Algeria has 3 open play and 3 set piece goals. Algeria has 26 shots including 15 on target. Algeria has completed 12 of 46 crosses and has been called offisides 3 times. Algeria has 12 saves and 6 blocks. They have won 10 of 69 tackles. Algeria has completed 859 passes.
Germany is looking to make at least the semifinals for their fourth straight World Cup something no other team has done in history. Algeria seems just happy to make it out of the group stage. However, there is little pressure on them as no one outside of Algeria expects them to beat the powerful Germans. I don’t either. Germany wins 3-1.
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