Venue: Germany v Australia in Durban – World Cup Group D Match
Date Sunday, June 13, 2010
Match Time: 8.30pm (local)
Germany v Australia Odds: Germany win 4/9; draw 11/4; Australia win 5/1.
Key players – Germany: Miroslav Klose, Phillipp Lahm, Lukas Podolski. Australia: Tim Cahill, Harry Kewell, Lucas Neill.
Tickets: TBA
Watch Germany v. Australia Live Streaming

Predictions:

Ron Patel: The spark and leadership in midfield for the Germans is gone after Michael Ballack’s injury. However, the Germans have ample depth and always know how to grind out results. Miroslav Klose knows, too, how to score at World Cups, and who knows, losing Ballack might force everyone else in the squad to pick it up. Australia will be no pushovers, and Germany will need to keep an eye on its danger man up front, Tim Cahill. It’ll be tight and cagey, but Germany wins 2-0.

Frank Finnegan: Losing Ballack so soon before the World Cup is certainly a blow, but underestimate the Germans in a World Cup at your peril. The Australians are a scrappy bunch, and with Essien out of the tournament, may have a chance to battle for second in the group. But Germany will handle them in their opening match. The Germans will score early, and coast home. 3-1.

Peter Howard: The Socceroos have a sliver of hope against a German squad that will be without Michael Ballack. The Aussies are certainly talented enough to play with the Germans. The key will be for Australia to convert on scoring opportunities. However, with a thin front line, the Germans will be able to handle any Aussie threat, and capitalize on late-game Australian desperation for a 3-0 win.

Greg Neville: To steal the words used by PH in his USA-England preview but substituting the Socceroos for the Americans – “This game is huge for (Australia). Obviously, the goal is to win, however, it’s more important for the (Socceroos) to not suffer a devastating loss. Play well, even in defeat, and maintain a little confidence, and maybe even some swagger, to carry you through, and hopefully out of, the group stage.” The Socceroos proved they can play stingy football in qualification but they will have to take that up another level to stay close with Germany – I think they can do it. Draw 1-1 – which is a win for Australia.

Miki Barnett: The Socceroos won’t have the goals to go on the run they did in 2006. Australia’s top scorers in qualification were midfielders Tim Cahill and Brett Emerton and they are likely to play a lone striker in Harry Kewell, returning from injury – no another one. Germany on the other hand has 2006 WC Golden Boot Klose and Lukas Podolski, who both take it up on notch when putting on their national shirt. The Socceroos will have to withstand an early blitzkrieg but their goal is going to take a pounding throughout the entire match …Germany 3-0.

Alex Michaels: The Germans have proved themselves to be big-tournament players on many occasions in the past, and while I just may fall into the trap of writing them off again, I think they are there for the taking this time around. Without the home support they enjoyed four years ago and without their inspirational captain Michael Ballack, the Germans could struggle in their opening match against the increasingly confident Aussies. The Socceroos have a great opportunity to put down their marker, and I’m going for a not-so-surprising 3-1 win.

Other June 13 matches:
World Cup Group C match: Algeria v Slovenia in Polokwane at 1.30pm.
Algeria v Slovenia Odds: Algeria win 2/1; draw 11/5; Slovenia win 11/10.
World Cup Group D match: Serbia v Ghana in Pretoria at 4pm.
Serbia v Ghana Odds: Serbia win 5/4; draw 11/5; Ghana win 7/4.