Injury-plagued Germany will be hoping for a winning start to the 2014 World Cup, although defeating star-studded Portugal side will be no easy task. Meanwhile, the Seleccao are showing constant improvement and it appears star player Cristiano Ronaldo will be fit to face die Mannschaft in Salvador.

Too many problems to count

It is evident Germany are slowly returning to old glory days, but they need to win a major trophy if they are to be regarded as one of world’s top sides. Die Manschaft have now achieved a third-place finish at the last two World Cup finals, while losing the final at Euro 2008 and crashing out in the Euro 2012 semis. As a result, Joachim Low’s side are tipped to go far at the 2014 World Cup, even if recent injuries to star players are threatening to ruin their title chances. Marco Reus, Lars Bender, Sven Bender, Marcel Schmelzer, Mario Gomez and Ilkay Gundogan are all missing out through injury, while Basian Schweinsteiger has only recently resumed full training. Nevertheless, with the team possessing a strength in depth and Germany rarely failing to perform at major tournaments, I still see die Manschaft as the favourites to defeat Portugal in their opening fixture. The 6-1 friendly triumph over Armenia acted as a much needed confidence boost following all the problems they had experienced in recent weeks, so we can expect Joachim Low’s side to perform to their potential in Monday afternoon.

Bastian Schweinsteiger is unlikely to start as he lacks match fitness, with Lukas Podolski set to come in for injured Marco Reus.

Ronaldo fit to play

Unlike Germany, Portugal have failed to live up to the billing at tournament finals, with Euro 2012 the first major competition in recent years where the Seleccao proved their worth. Portugal have yet to reach the World Cup of European Championships final and the poor run doesn’t look likely to end in Brazil. Once again, the Seleccao boast a high-quality side, with superstar Cristiano Ronaldo taking the lead, but team spirit has never been one of their traits and Paulo Bento’s side do seem to have plenty of weaknesses. The back line does not look convincing, especially when Pepe is missing, while none of Hugo Almeida, Eder and Helder Postiga has impressed in the centre forward role. Considering that key players Cristiano Ronaldo, Pepe and Raul Meireles are not at 100% having missed quite a few training sessions through injury, Portugal could have problems matching impeccably prepared Germans in their opening fixture. With Ghana and USA the other two sides in the group, the Seleccao should still be able to make it to the next stage, but I cannot see them getting anything out of this match.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Raul Meireles look set to start, but Pepe could be left on the bench after spending just half an hour on the pitch since picking up an injury on 24 May.

Verdict

With four centre-backs set to be deployed at the back by Germany boss Joachim Low, Portugal will find it hard to find a way past Manuel Neuer, while die Manschaft should have enough attacking potential in them to score past the Seleccao defence that is likely to be missing the star man Pepe.

Top pick: Home win   2.20 (6/5) @ Coral

Alternative pick 1: Portugal not to score   2.60 (8/5) @ William Hill

Alternative pick 2: Germany to win to nil   3.75 (11/4) @ Betfred