AFTER a great debut winner, Adam Goodwin (@AGJournalism) is back to share his thoughts on Sunday's Group C contest from the European U21 Championship between Germany and Czech Republic.
Germany U21 v Czech Republic U21 | Sunday 17:00 | Sky Sports
The opening game in Group C will pit Germany up against Czech Republic. Unbeaten in qualifying and scoring 35 goals in the process, Stefan Kuntz will be keen to continue the German’s dominance in his first competitive game in charge.
Czech Republic also finished top of their qualifying group, and fans will be hoping that their side can complete a similar feat to when they won the tournament in 2002.
Czech Republic
The Czech’s scored an average of just under three goals per-game in qualifying, which included seven past an admittedly awful Malta side, and they have one man to thank in particular.
Patrik Schick has been playing for the Czech Republic youth sides since the age of 16 and has made 25 appearances up to Under-21 level. He was also awarded two senior caps earlier this year.
Schick signed for Sampdoria at the start of the season from Sparta Prague and scored 11 goals in Serie A this campaign; something which looks to have earnt him a £26 million move to Juventus.
He was the top scorer in qualifying with 10 goals and he will look to continue this rich vein of form throughout the tournament in Poland. The 6ft+ striker is known for his prowess in front of goal and his tidy footwork in and around the box – a perfect example of this was his goal vs Crotone last season.
If Czech Republic are to achieve anything in this tournament, they will need Schick to deliver.
Germany
This is arguably the German’s best squad of players since 2009, when their side which included Manuel Neuer, Mats Hummels and Mesut Ozil won the tournament in Sweden.
Germany were absolutely rampant in qualifying, keeping five cleans sheets and scoring 3+ in eight out of their 10 games in Group 7. Stefan Kuntz is missing the likes of Timo Werner, Niklas Sule and Leon Goretzka due to their participation with the senior team in the Confederations Cup but he still has an incredible squad at his disposal.
Captain, Max Arnold and Bayern Munich’s latest recruit Serge Gnabry will both be vital to Die Mannschaft if they are to go one better than two years ago and reach the final.
Currently second favourites behind Spain to win the tournament outright, many people will fancy the 11/4 price on the Germans to go all the way and lift the trophy.
The Betting Angles
I’m confident Germany will continue their incredible run of form into this game and beat Czech Republic in Tychy on Sunday evening. The 4/6 on them to win the game is slightly skinny so I’m going to add in Over 1.5 goals.
When Germany have won, all but two of their competitive games since 2012 have seen two goals or more and adding in the fact that their games were averaging 4.3 goals in qualifying, this looks a solid bet.
If Czech Republic can get a goal past this German defence it will undoubtedly be Schick that gets it. The way I’ve been praising him, I’d be stupid not to back him to score! He’s 7/2 to net anytime with Paddy Power.
But my best bet is Germany to win and Over 1.5 goals.
Best Bets
Germany U21 v Czech Republic U21 – Germany to win and Over 1.5 Goals (21/20 BetStars)
Germany U21 v Czech Republic U21 – Patrick Schick to score at anytime (7/2 Paddy Power)
