World Cup 2018  Germany vs  Mexico
Channel: Sniper القناص
Date: 2018-06-17

Reigning champion Germany embarks on its title defense Sunday at 11 a.m. ET when it faces Mexico in a Group F match at Luzhniki Stadium in the 2018 World Cup. Germany is a -205 sportsbook favorite (bet $205 to win $100), while Mexico offers a 6-1 payout as an underdog. The draw is priced at +325 and the over-under for goals scored in this 2018 World Cup match is 2.5. Before you lock in your 2018 World Cup picks, you need to see who soccer expert Thomas Rongen has chosen.

The Dutch-American commentator boasts an incomparable soccer background. He's the former assistant coach and chief international scout for the U.S. men's national team and was the former head coach of the U.S. men's Under-20 team. He also was named MLS coach of the year in 1996 for the Tampa Bay Mutiny. 

Now, Rongen has broken down every World Cup roster and locked in confident 2018 World Cup picks for Germany-Mexico. 

He knows Germany is a heavy favorite to emerge from Group F and is the favorite at most betting outlets with 2018 World Cup odds to win of 4-1. 

Germany's roster has seen a bit of turnover in the past four years, but it still boasts a star-laden lineup. Standout goalkeeper Manuel Neuer returned just in time for the World Cup. 

Strikers Timo Lerner and Thomas Muller lead the offensive attack, while the defense is bolstered by an experienced duo in Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng. 

Mexico is widely viewed as boasting one of the most potent attacks in the 2018 World Cup field, but some concerns surround its recent performances in preparation for the tournament. Those include a narrow win over Scotland and a scoreless draw against Wales, neither of which made the World Cup. 

The offense is led by stars Javier Hernandez and Hirving Lozano, but there is concern about the health and effectiveness of veteran midfielder Andres Guardado. He has battled injuries leading up to the World Cup.Germany must shrug off a rocky World Cup build-up as they begin the defence of their title on Sunday against a vastly experienced Mexico side jolted by their own pre-tournament scandal.

While Manuel Neuer finally won his lengthy fitness battle after more than eight months out, Mesut Ozil and Ilkay Gundogan were jeered by Germany fans in recent friendlies after posing for a photograph alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos said what is discussed on talk shows should not concern the players, adding: "We are here to play football." The form of Joachim Loew's side is another concern though, an unconvincing win over a Saudi Arabia outfit thrashed 5-0 in the World Cup opener represents Germany's lone victory since romping through qualifying with maximum points.

"We need the greed, the fire -- it's part of what makes things go off with a bang sometimes in training and on the playing pitch. We will have to fight for every inch," said defender Jerome Boateng. "I think we're known as a team that starts well," he added, saying he feels "better from day to day" after returning from a groin injury.

Germany defeated Mexico 4-1 on the way to lifting last year's Confederations Cup trophy but Kroos believes that result is of little significance now. "We shouldn't underestimate them, even if it was a clear win at the Confederations Cup last year. We're taking this very, very seriously and, once more for emphasis, because it's our first game at the World Cup."

Germany are trying to become the first team in 56 years to successfully defend their title, after Brazil in 1962, but Mexico defender Carlos Salcedo believes their Group F opponents are not invincible.

'No one is unbeatable'
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