Will the DFB team pass the tough test?
Four-time world champions Germany got off to a terrible start in Group A of the World Cup qualifiers, losing a game for the first time in 52 consecutive away games in World Cup qualifiers (42 wins, ten draws). Julian Nagelsmann’s men hardly covered themselves in glory after that either.
Most recently, the Germans struggled to a 2-0 away win on Friday evening against an evenly matched Luxembourg side, who failed to capitalize on their own inability to score against Germany. Nevertheless, the DFB team now has everything in its own hands. If Germany’s prediction of an away win for the Sokoli does not come true, the World Cup ticket will be secured.
Slovakia won four of their five qualifying games without conceding a goal and also won their home game against Northern Ireland 1-0 on Friday evening with a last-minute goal. However, the Sokoli also suffered a bitter 2-0 defeat away in Belfast, which means that their lead from the 2-0 first-leg victory against the Germans is now gone. Because goal difference counts in the event of a tie, rather than head-to-head results, a draw in Leipzig will not be enough for the Slovaks.
This makes the game very complicated for the generally defensive-minded team. Nevertheless, the visitors cannot go in with their heads down. Since Germany has also had problems in attack recently, the Germany vs. Slovakia prediction is that there will be a maximum of three goals in the second leg.
Basically, we believe that the German national soccer team, which is also hoping for the return of captain Joshua Kimmich, will not let anyone take the butter off their bread. Those who still can’t rule out a Slovakian away win can use the handy Bet365 app to place an Asian handicap of +2.25 on the Sokoli at odds of 1.55 for Germany vs. Slovakia, which, in addition to any points won in Leipzig, also provides very good coverage for narrow defeats.
However, considering that the DFB team has also kept a clean sheet in its last three group games, betting on under 3.5 goals ultimately offers us the best balance between risk, probability, and potential winnings.
Germany – Slovakia Head-to-head record
Head to head: 8 – 0 – 4
Twelve international matches have been played between the two nations so far, with Germany leading the head-to-head record with eight wins. In the first leg, however, the DFB team suffered a 0-2 defeat away to Slovakia in Bratislava. It was the first away defeat for a German team in a World Cup qualifier in 52 (!) games (42 wins, ten draws).
Germany – Slovakia Tip
The top betting providers have little doubt that the four-time world champions will now secure their World Cup ticket. After all, the betting odds for Germany against Slovakia are very clearly in favor of the Germans.
It is clear that the Sokoli need an away win in Leipzig and will have to try to play for it sooner or later. But it is also clear that the Slovaks’ core strength lies in defense, as evidenced by four clean sheets in their five qualifying games. Francesco Calzona’s team therefore faces a balancing act, while the DFB selection can act very patiently due to the fact that a draw is enough. Under a correspondingly good star, the prognosis for Germany vs. Slovakia is for a match that will not be too high-scoring.
