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Preview: Group B - Germany vs. Portugal

Preview: Group B - Germany vs. Portugal
© PA Photos
Germany and Portugal face off in Ukraine on Saturday for one of the most highly anticipated matches of Group B.

One of the most highly anticipated clashes of Group B takes place tomorrow evening with Germany and Portugal taking to the pitch at the Arena Lviv in Ukraine.

The Germans are strong favourites to win the tournament with the majority of stars from Bayern Munich occupying the squad, including that of Philipp Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Thomas Muller.

The national side's manager Joachim Low is expected to have a fully-fit squad to choose from, with Arsenal centre-back Per Mertesacker likely to hold the defence. Meanwhile Schweinsteiger should be fit, despite sitting out of the Germans' warm-up matches with a calf strain.

On the other side, all eyes will be on Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo following an impressive season with Real Madrid, who were crowned La Liga champions over Barcelona last month.

Chelsea midfielder Raul Meireles is expected to be included in manager Paulo Bento's starting lineup, while Manchester United winger Nani should feature, despite doubts over the 25-year-old's fitness due to a foot injury.

Joao Pereira could be included in the starting lineup in place of Miguel Lopes, with Helder Postiga expected to come into the fray.

Both Germany and Portugal will hope to get their respective campaigns off to a flying start as they try to battle out of a tough group, including Denmark and the Netherlands.

Current form:

Germany: WDWLLW
Portugal: LDWDDL

Possible lineups:

Germany: Neuer; Boateng, Mertesacker, Badstuber, Lahm; Khedira, Schweinsteiger; Muller, Ozil, Podolski; Klose

Portugal: Rui Patricio; Pereira, Pepe, Alves, Coentrao; Meireles, Veloso, Moutinho; Nani, Postiga, Ronaldo

Sports Mole says: 2-1

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