STAR FOOTBALL PREVIEW Weds: Germany v Portugal

Just days after hosting the Champions League final, there’s more big match action at the Allianz Arena when Germany face Portugal in the first of two UEFA Nations League semi-finals this week, writes WILLIAM KEDJANYI.

Germany are in the finals of this competition for the first time, whilst Portugal are hoping to win it for the second time, with the hosts strongly favoured in the with starsports.bet odds at the time of writing.

Under Julian Naglesmann, the hosts have improved, putting up a solid showing on home soil in last year’s Euros, just losing to eventual winners Spain in the quarter-finals and then coming out on top in the quarter-finals of this competition in thrilling style over Italy, when they went 3-0 and then 5-1 up on aggregate in the second leg before nearly grabbing defeat from the jaws of victory.

That showcased Germany’s ability to cut through teams and also their frailties, but it’s hard to argue with their record in the past two years. The Germans haven’t lost l game in 90 minutes since November 2023, and in that time they beaten France, Netherlands (twice), Italy and Denmark, whilst they have won eight, drawn three and lost just one of their last 12 internationals at home including the Euros.

They will have to deal with a number of personnel issues this evening. Yann Bisseck limped off in the Champions League final, joining Antonio Rudiger, Nico Schlotterbeck and Jamal Musiala on the sidelines, while Kai Havertz won’t be risked after his long term injury for Arsenal.

The return of Florian Wirtz is a major boost – along with Marc-Andre ter Stegen in goal – but chopping and changing could leave the hosts slightly vulnerable, for all they can count on plenty of talent.

⭐ STARSPORTS.BET NATIONS LEAGUE OUTRIGHT MARKETS ⭐

Germany v Portugal
UEFA Nations League Semi-Final
Mercedes-Benz-Arena, Munich
20:00 Amazon Prime Video

LAST FIVE STATS

HEAD-TO-HEAD
JUN 2021 EURO 2020 Portugal 2-4 Germany
JUN 2014 WORLD CUP Germany 4-0 Portugal
JUN 2012 EURO 2012 Germany 1-0 Portugal
JUN 2008 EURO 2008 Portugal 2-3 Germany
JUL 2006 WORLD CUP Germany 3-1 Portugal

GERMANY
MAR 2025 NATIONS LEAGUE Germany 3-3 Italy
MAR 2025 NATIONS LEAGUE Italy 1-2 Germany
NOV 2024 NATIONS LEAGUE Hungary 1-1 Germany
NOV 2024 NATIONS LEAGUE Germany 7-0 Bosnia-Hz.
OCT 2024 NATIONS LEAGUE Germany 1-0 Netherlands

PORTUGAL
MAR 2025 NATIONS LEAGUE Portugal 5-2 Denmark (AET)
MAR 2025 NATIONS LEAGUE Denmark 1-0 Portugal
NOV 2024 NATIONS LEAGUE Croatia 1-1 Portugal
NOV 2024 NATIONS LEAGUE Portugal 5-1 Poland
OCT 2024 NATIONS LEAGUE Scotland 0-0 Portugal

⭐ STARSPORTS.BET MATCH MARKETS ⭐

Portugal had a slightly disappointing Euros – they lost to Georgia, needing penalties to see off Slovenia and didn’t play as well as Germany did when losing to France – but they did respond well in winning a tough section that included Croatia, Scotland and Poland, going unbeaten through the process.

They were not terribly convincing against Denmark, needing second leg heroics from Francisco Trincao, who saved them with four minutes of regular time to go before proceeding to score the tie’s winning goal in the first minute of extra time, with Goncalo Ramos adding gloss to the scoreline late on.

Roberto Martinez has no injuries to contend with – and he will be hoping to get the best from one of the most talented squads in Europe, including Vitinha, Joao Neves and Nuno Mendes, whilst Portuguese fans will be hoping for more goals from Cristiano Ronaldo, who has scored in five of his seven games since the Euros, where he was disappointing and appeared to hold the team back at times.

A case can be made for all three match outcomes with starsports.bet but the best way to approach this game may be to go for goals. Both of Germany’s quarter-final meetings with Italy went over 2.5 goals whilst Portugal’s second leg against a Denmark side with less attacking weapons than Germany have to offer finished 3-2 in normal time. Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals is the most appealing bet here.

---

RECOMMENDED BETS
BACK Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals 2pts at 17/20 (⭐️ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)

---

(JUN 2025):PROFIT/LOSS: 0.00 points

---

STAR PROMOTIONS