Germany vs. Portugal: UEFA Nations Match Preview, Odds & Prediction

On Wednesday, Germany will take on Portugal in the first of two UEFA Nations League semi-finals taking place this week at the Allianz Arena. This comes only days after the venue hosted the most crucial contest in European club football.

Portugal will be hoping to shock the home audience and become the first country to win the UNL tournament twice, while Germany makes its UNL finals debut this year.

Previous Matches and Head-to-head

Germany and Portugal will face off in the Nations League for the first time since 1997. Germany is currently on a 13-game home winning streak, with their only loss coming in the 2024 Euro quarterfinal against eventual champions Spain. The German team's morale was low before last summer's European Championships, but they are now confident going into the 2026 World Cup.

Germany defeated Portugal at the 2006 and 2014 World Cups, as well as at the 2008, 2012, and 2020 European Championships. Portugal was eliminated in the group stage of Euro 2000. Roberto Martinez, who is beginning to feel the strain after last summer's poor Euro and an underwhelming Nations League quarterfinal victory over Denmark, would not want that kind of record coming into this match.

Portugal advanced to the semi-finals after a humiliating 1-0 loss in the first leg. The 2019 champions have many players returning from their winning squad from six years ago, which would provide excellent preparation for Martinez's team when they face Ireland, Hungary, and Armenia in World Cup qualifying in September.

After a lacklustre showing at Euro 2024, Portugal went undefeated in their Nations League groups, including Scotland and Poland. This match will help Germany continue their ascent in the overall World Cup betting markets and their current momentum as favourites to win the Nations League at home this month.

Germany x Portugal Team News

After a nine-month injury layoff, goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen is expected to get the nod ahead of Alexander Nubel and Oliver Baumann.

Germany captain Joshua Kimmich is set to play in his 100th international match, and he is now the team's most impressive player, thanks to his sensational performance against Italy, in which he scored twice and set up four more goals.

However, Nagelsmann is concerned about several unavailable players, including Yann Bisseck, who hobbled off in the Champions League final and is now out, alongside Antonio Rudiger, Nico Schlotterbeck, and Jamal Musiala; he has also decided not to risk Kai Havertz.

Cristiano Ronaldo, who has been linked to a transfer away from Al-Nassr, will likely earn his 220th cap here against a country he has never tasted victory against.

In the second match against Denmark, Bernardo Silva earned his 100th cap, and he has the chance to play midfield with Joao Neves and Vitinha, two other Paris Saint-Germain players who have won the Champions League.

Aside from fellow uncapped attacker Rodrigo Mora, the other player not in the team who played against Denmark was the adolescent Geovany Quenda, who is headed to Chelsea.

Our predictions

Germany to win @ 1.87 on Sky247.ng

This head-to-head matchup is likely to feature goals from both teams, as these two have been the top scorers in the Nations League thus far in the 2024–25 season.

We still have doubts about Martinez's qualifications and his determination to put Ronaldo in attack. In front of a German audience, the visitors may not have enough, even though Portugal has the more complete XI.

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