Germany
- The Germans have reached at least the quarter finals of the World Cup in their last eight attempts, and Joachim Löw's side are expected to mount a serious challenge for the trophy once again. Injury to Borussia Dortmund forward Marco Reus has bruised preparations, but die Mannschaft have plenty of attacking ammunition in the midfield to make up for their lack of strikers. (13/2 with William Hill).
- Equipped with the best goalkeeper in European football and an intimidating back four, Joachim Löw will be confident of emerging from the group stages with a healthy goal difference. However, the trickery of Cristiano Ronaldo could terrify a rather slow back line.
- The talent in Germany's midfield is enough to rival even Spain's, and the attacking appetites of Mario Götze, Toni Kroos, Thomas Müller and Mesut Özil should provide goals in the absence of Reus. Schalke's Julian Draxler and Freiburg's Matthias Ginter are also candidates to light up the tournament.
- Miroslav Klose, 36, has been controversially named as Germany's only out-and-out forward, but die Mannschaft's all time top scorer offers experience in front of goal. The Lazio striker is just one goal away from achieving the all-time World Cup scoring record and you wouldn't bet against him. Thomas Müller and Lukas Podolski may also be employed as forwards.
Key Player
Thomas Müller
(The Bayern Munich man has scored 17 goals in 49 appearances for Germany)
Possible line-up
Portugal
- All eyes will be on Cristiano Ronaldo as the world's best player aims to add to his overwhelming list of accolades. The hopes of 10m Portuguese fanatics rest on the £80m man's shoulders - but does the Real Madrid forward have enough to carry an otherwise average squad? At 25-1, bookies give Portugal as much of a chance as England for the trophy.
- Bento's side definitely have bite in the defence and Real Madrid's Pepe always proves to be an unattractive opponent for strikers. Fabio Coentrao will offer pace down the flanks.
- Joao Moutinho and Sporting Lisbon's William Carvalho make up an eye-catching central midfield that isn't short of creativity and grit. Carvalho, 22, has been linked with big money moves to Manchester United and Real Madrid this summer and could twinkle in the heart of the Portuguese midfield.
- With Ronaldo in the side, goals shouldn't be a problem, but he's the only proven goalscorer in Portugal's attack.
Key Player
Cristiano Ronaldo
(Ronaldo's hat-trick against Sweden secured Portugal's place in Brazil last November)
Possible line-up
Prediction
The Germans will be favourites, but if the Portuguese can stay disciplined at the back, they certainly have enough to punish the 2010 semi-finalists up front.
Germany 2-2 Portugal
