They might be odds-on to win this third place play-off in Port Elizabeth, although Germany still look a cracking bet to finish with a flourish after missing out on the final on Wednesday. It has been a valiant effort from Joachim Low’s team, who were expected to struggle at the World Cup after Michael Ballack was ruled out with an injury.
However, the manager has put his trust in players such as Mesut Ozil and Thomas Muller, both of whom have played starring roles for Die Mannschaft throughout the competition. There have been plenty of goals from Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski, with Bastian Schweinsteiger having adapted perfectly to his new role of holding midfielder.
Uruguay are a decent enough football team, although can you honestly say they have played to the same level as the Germans in the World Cup? La Celeste were especially fortunate to have gone through against Ghana on penalties in the quarter final and might be the latest team to be taught a footballing lesson by their youthful opponents.
PREDICTION: GERMANY TO WIN @ 1.72 with bet365
Power Rating
Squad (3/5)
Great attack allied to a more than passable defence. It is just a pity that Uruguay don't possess a midfielder of true, creative flair.
Squad (3.5/5)
With the exception of Philipp Lahm and Michael Ballack nothing about the German squad screams ‘world class’ but they are always so much more than the sum of their parts.
Coach: (4/5)
Oscar Tabarez is known as El Maestro in his native Montevideo and he has the ability to conjure something that Uruguayan football has not seen for 40 years – a decent run in a Word Cup.
Coach (4/5)
Low may lack Klinsmann’s flair and flamboyance but he is far more tactically astute. The two wins over Russia proved once more Germany can deal with serious opposition, which is what they will face from the start.
Attack: (4/5)
On paper few teams possess a partnership as lethal as that between Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez. If they can keep their heads – and that is a big if – they could create something special.
Attack (3/5)
Before the March friendly against Argentina, this would have been a four out of five but in Munich Germany struggled so badly against a side likely to be their quarter-final opponents that there are some serious doubts.
Defence (2.5/5)
Gritty and effective, the way Lugano and Co will defend their 18-yard line will not be a thing of beauty. But no defender enjoys playing in front of a goalkeeper they don't know and don't really trust and that may be the case with Muslera.
Defence (3.5/5)
The spotlight, naturally, will be on Rene Adler and in qualification there were one or two cracks evident, exploited, oddly enough, by Finland who put three past them in Helsinki and drew 1-1 in Hamburg.