Our Group C coverage gets underway with a look at World Champions Germany this afternoon. Joachim Lowe’s men open their Euro 2016 campaign against Ukraine on Sunday, June 12 at 8pm, before taking on Poland four days later at 8pm and going up against Northern Ireland on Tuesday, June 21 at 5pm.
If, as the bookies predict, Germany finish at the Group C summit, they would face the third-placed team in either Group A, B or F in the Last 16, which should help ensure a safe passage into the quarter-finals at least.
The Road to Qualification
Germany clinched their place in this month’s tournament by finishing top of qualifying Group D, just one point ahead of Poland. Lowe’s men won seven and lost two of their ten matches, with both the Poles and Republic of Ireland clinching victories on home turf.
Although they scored 24 times, it’s worth noting that 11 of those arrived against whipping boys Gibraltar – indeed, Poland scored on 33 occasions by comparison. Lowe’s men conceded nine times, though were far from resilient and managed just three clean sheets, with two of those arriving against Gibraltar.
Over the last 12 months, Germany have lost four of their five friendlies, conceding at least twice against USA, France, England and Slovakia (in a 3-1 defeat last Sunday), though they managed to chalk up a 4-1 win over Italy back in March.
Most Appearances Jerome Boateng (10), Manuel Neuer, Toni Kroos, Mario Goetze, Thomas Muller (9), Mats Hummels, Andre Schurrle, Jonas Hector, Lukas Podolski , Karim Bellarabi (7), Mesut Ozil (6)
Most goals Thomas Muller (9), Andre Schurrle, Max Kruse, Mario Gotze (3), Ilkay Gundogan (2)
Most assists Mesut Ozil (4), Max Kruse (3), Jonas Hector (2)
The Key Targets
Bearing in mind that Germany fired more attempts on goal than any side over qualifying, their attack will likely be the focal point for Fantasy managers.
Top scorer in qualifying with nine goals, Thomas Muller currently sits in over 34% of teams in the Uefa game after netting 20 times for Bayern Munich in 2015/16. Priced at 10.5 in the Uefa game, he’s the costliest option in the German squad and is expected to lead the line in a 4-2-3-1. Muller – who is also likely to retain spot-kick duties – could also be shifted to the right should Lowe utilise a “false nine” system.
Mesut Ozil (24% ownership) produced more assists than any team-mate over qualification, despite featuring in only six matches. A little kinder on the budget than Muller at 8.5 in Uefa, the Arsenal man is also cheaper than fellow attacking midfielder Mario Gotze , who will set you back 9.0. Having notched three times in qualifying, Gotze is the likeliest candidate to operate as a “false nine” if Muller is shifted onto the wing, though he has struggled domestically and scored just three times in 11 starts for Bayern. Marco Reus, meanwhile, is out of the picture after being omitted from the final 23 earlier today due to injury concerns.
Toni Kroos sets you back just 7.0 in the Uefa game by comparison. Set to be stationed in the double-pivot, his all-round displays may be best suited to the Draft Kings offering. Kroos bagged ten assists for Real Madrid in La Liga last season and his delivery will ensure he’s afforded a fair share of dead-ball duties.
With some uncertainty still surrounding the fitness of Mats Hummels, Jerome Boateng offers a safe route into the Germany defence. Priced at 6.0 in the Uefa offering, the former City man is the most popular defender in the game and sits in over 29% of teams – he fired ten attempts over the qualifiers, though all but two arrived from distance.
Priced at 5.5 in Uefa, left-back Jonas Hector provides us with an all-round alternative. The Cologne defender produced four assists in the Bundesliga last term and supplied a couple of assists over the qualifiers, whilst his defensive actions are also favoured by the Draft Kings scoring metric, which rewards successful tackles and interceptions.
The Long Shots
Included in the final 23 earlier today, Mats Hummels certainly has the stats on his side. Owned by over 22% of Uefa managers, the new Bayern centre-half boasts a far greater threat in and around the box than any backline option for Lowe’s side and was the standout defensive performer for successful tackles and interceptions, boosting his potential in the Draft Kings game. Hummels has indicated that he expects to miss the first group match against Ukraine but Lowe has since claimed the player “will be fit for Euro 2016”. At a price of 6.5, though, he looks a little risky until we get a clearer picture towards the end of next week.
With Ilkay Gundogan sidelined through injury, Sami Khedira is favourite to partner Kroos in the centre of the park. Likely to be one to watch for the Draft Kings game due to tackles and interceptions, the Juventus midfielder enjoyed a rare productive season and bagged five goals and four assists in 20 Serie A appearances.
Available for 8.0 in Uefa, Mario Gomez offers Lowe the option of a genuine centre forward up front. It’s debatable whether he can break into the starting XI, though it’s worth noting that Gomez has started three of Germany’s last four friendlies and netted from the spot in the weekend loss to Slovakia. A tally of 26 goals and six assists in 33 league appearances for Besiktas this season highlights his current form.
Reus’ absence could afford Julian Draxler the chance to stake a claim for a starting berth. If Muller is fielded up front, though, the Wolfsburg wide man – who has been named in the first XI in three of the last four friendlies – could have the chance to play his way into our plans at a price of just 6.5 in Uefa.
Upcoming Friendlies
Germany vs Hungary (June 4)
Further Analysis
Further Analysis
Group A Albania, France, Romania, Switzerland.
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