FIFA 2014 Round of 16 Predictions: Match #54 Germany vs. Algeria

Final Score

Germany 2 Algeria 1 (120')

Overview

Match number 54 is the sixth match of the knock-out stages. Germany won 2 matches and drew 1 in the group stage to collect 7 points to finish on top of Group G. Algeria, on the other hand, won 1, lost 1 and drew 1 to collect 4 points to finish second in Group F.

Teams

Germany: Germany started the tournament in the most emphatic manner possible. It thrashed Portugal 4-0 and apparently declared that it had come with a mission. However, it met with an unexpectedly tough opponent Ghana in its next match which ended in a 2-2 draw. Germany started the third match, knowing well that it would be nothing sort of a miracle to get eliminated even if it lost to the United States. However, losing to United States would not have worked well on the German morale, especially after failing to win against Ghana. United States, on the other hand, was aware that even a draw would take it to the next round. Germany played rather cautiously to ensure not to lose the match. Eventually, it won against the U.S.A 1-0, thanks to the serial goal-scorer Thomas Müller. Germany's next opponent is Algeria. The way the minnows have performed in this world cup, it will be unwise to take the African nation lightly.

Algeria: Algeria made history when it ended its final group match against Russia in a draw. The 1-1 result meant that the African team was going to the knock-out stages of a world cup for the first time. Algeria's performance in this world cup has not been utterly impressive. However, it managed to secure a thumping 4-2 win against Korea Republic, which eventually helped it proceed to the next round. Group H was not among the top performing groups. Algeria is the only team except Belgium that had tasted victory. Algeria also had 1 point from a draw in its last group match against Russia, which was enough to take it to the "Round of 16." Algeria plays with a lot of physical strength which will be handy against the Germans. Its first foreign coach Vahid Halilhodžić will leave no stone unturned to compete against the European giant.

Head to Head

These two teams played twice against each other before. Interestingly, Algeria won both the matches. There were 5 goals scored in total, and Algeria scored 4 of those.

Key Players

Germany: Thomas Müller and Lukas Podolski

Algeria: Islam Slimani and Yacine Brahimi

Date, Time & Venue

Brazil's time zone is UTC/GMT -3. The match starts at 5 pm (local time) on June 30, which means it is 6 am on July 1 in New South Wales, Australia. The match will be held at Estádio Beira-Rio in Porto Alegre.

Prediction

Even though the past records indicate otherwise, Algeria will turn out to be feeble against the German team which will win it 4-1.

Contact the writer: s.mukhopadhyay@ibtimes.com.au