Romania vs Germany: Preview, Betting Tips, Stats & Prediction

Ace Football previews the World Cup qualifier between Romania and Germany, and offers betting tips, odds, line-ups, and team news.

Romania and Germany lock horns in Bucharest for the second fixture of their 2022 World Cup qualification campaign in Group J.

The joint-Group J leaders are level on three points, alongside Armenia, after winning their openers. Romania scraped a thrilling 3-2 victory over North Macedonia, while Germany cruised to a comfortable 3-0 win against Iceland.

There will be an element of the unknown in this one, as both sides haven’t met since a friendly in September 2007. Romania, of course, are no strangers to scoring at home and can test the visitors’ well-drilled defense. But given the talented young stars in their ranks, Germany are expected to hold the edge.

Romania Form & Stats

The Tricolours’ best days are behind them for now at least, having failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup and Euro 2020. Mirel Radoi, who replaced the fired Cosmin Contra as manager, has been left with big a rebuilding job. He’s been tasked with improving the defense and taking the national team back to major tournaments.

Despite winning four times so far (D2 L3), Radoi still has a long way to go. Romania have conceded 1.78 goals-per-match since he took on the top job and kept only one clean sheet in a 3-0 win over Norway last November. But what the hosts lack at the back, they make up for in the attack. 11 goals have been scored in their last three home matches alone.

Radoi’s side have indeed been strong on home soil, having collected 13 wins out of a possible 22 (D5 L4). Second-place in Group J, meanwhile, is definitely possible, as Romania hope to reach the World Cup finals for the first time in the 21st century.

Key Team Stats

• Mirel Radoi has won 4 of his first 9 games as manager (D2 L3).
• Scored 11 goals in their last 3 home games.
• Won 13 of their last 22 home games in all competitions (D5 L4).
• Last qualified for the World Cup finals for the 1998 tournament.
• Drawn 2 of their last 4 meetings with Germany (W1 L1).

Germany Form & Stats

Joachim Low’s men began their qualifying campaign in style by hammering three goals past Iceland. Leon Goretzka, Kai Havertz, and an in-form Ilkay Gundogan were all on target. The result put them on top of Group J and on course for an 18th successive appearance in the World Cup finals.

Despite a 6-0 thrashing to Spain, Germany had a relatively solid year in 2020. The four-time world champions lost only once and head to Romania with four wins in their last six matches in all competitions (D1 L1). That said, they only won once in their three away fixtures last year (D1 L1).

Not helping matters is the loss of four players in Niklas Sule, Toni Kroos, Jonas Hofmann, and Marcel Halstenberg. Joshua Kimmich could, therefore, be under pressure to help fill the void. The versatile star will need to produce more compared to last week’s win over Iceland. But if he gets a handle of the game, Germany could run away with this one.

Key Team Stats

• Won 4 of their last 6 games in all competitions (D1 L1).
• Won only 1 of their last 3 away games in all competitions (D1 L1).
• Qualified for the last 17 World Cup finals.
• BTTS in 7 of their last 10 games in all competitions.
• Joachim Low is unbeaten in 31 World Cup qualifiers (W28 D3).

Team News

Romania
Out: N/A.
Doubts: N/A.

Germany
Out: Niklas Sule, Toni Kroos, Jonas Hofmann, Marcel Halstenberg.
Doubts: Robin Gosens.

Predicted Line-ups

(Note: The image will change to the official XI once they’re both announced)

Head-To-Head Record

Below are some head-to-head stats on each team’s recent form in the World Cup.

Betting Tips

More Odds

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