It looked like Germany were going to bomb out of the FIFA World Cup in the group stage for the second time in succession when Japan got the better of them in their opening game, however they suddenly have a route out going into their final match with Costa Rica on Thursday night.
Costa Rica themselves have a chance to make it out of the group for the first time since 2014. They only need a draw here if Japan lose the other game but you would imagine this will be all about whether Germany get the win they need.
Where to watch
This match will be shown live and exclusively on ITV 4 in the UK with the same build-up as the other game beginning at 6.15pm and kick off at 7pm.
Costa Rica
I think it is fair to say that Costa Rica have been one of the worst teams at the World Cup but such is the way this tournament has been, they are almost in control of their own destiny. They offered absolutely nothing in a good spanking at the hands of Spain and if we are being honest they didn’t really offer a great deal more against Japan either. They were allowed to stay in that match though and to their credit when their one chance came along they took it.
You would imagine given the lack of quality they have got in forward areas they are going to look to sit deep in this match and look to stifle and contain Germany. It is a risky move but it might be the only one they have available to them. Where they might come unstuck, whether it works for them or not, is if Japan are still level late on in the other game as a draw wouldn’t be enough for Costa Rica in that situation.
Germany
It looked like Germany had made life incredibly tough for themselves when they were beaten by Japan in their opening match. They only had themselves to blame in that game too because they created chances at will but were not able to take enough of them. That left it looking like they would need to win their final two matches to progress but as luck would have it Costa Rica did them a favour and having avoided defeat against Japan, Germany now know a win here is highly likely to put them through.
If they are going to get that win they need to show a ruthless edge about their play. They also need to forget all about 2018 when they were in this exactly situation having messed up their first game but on that occasion they couldn’t get the win they needed against South Korea and bombed out. The good thing for Germany here is their flaky looking defence isn’t likely to be in any danger here given that Costa Rica look gun shy.
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Team News
Costa Rica will be forced into a change in this match with central defender Francisco Calvo suspended after he picked up a second yellow card against Japan. Luis Fernando Suarez must choose between Daniel Chacon and Juan Pablo Vargas as his replacement.
Germany are expected to unleash Leroy Sane from the start in this match after he returned to action from the bench against Spain. There could also be a place in the starting XI for Niklas Fullkrug as Germany look for a focal point to their attack.
Betting
I don’t think that Germany are automatically going to rock up and win this like a number of others do but they are likely to have all of the play, or the majority of it anyway. If Germany are going to break this defensive wall of Costa Rica down then it is likely to take a skilful piece of play or a bit of magic and based on what we’ve seen from them so far in the tournament, if that is going to come along then it might well come through Jamal Musiala.
He was excellent in a similar situation against Japan in the opening game, doing pretty much everything but score in the game. Given the situation that the Germans are in here you would imagine that if a chance comes along he’ll be a lot more focused to put it away and so the 6/4 that he scores anytime has to be big given that he is going to play very high and look to get onto any second balls which come along. Musiala has impressed without that standout moment so far. I’ll back that to come along here.
Tips
Back J.Musiala to score anytime for a 2/10 stake at 2.50 with Bet365
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