Saturday Football Tips: Musiala the man for Germany

Italy v Germany
Saturday June 4, 19:45 kick-off
Live on Premier Sports 1

It's Italy who start this Nations League as the reigning European Champions, but they look in disarray as they face a Germany side looking very much on the up.

It's boom-or-bust for the Italians, as Roberto Mancini led them on a record unbeaten run to win Euro 2020, but then lost to North Macedonia in a World Cup qualifying play-off, which means the Azzurri will miss Qatar.

A hammering against Argentina on Wednesday in a clash between European and South American champions, and the departure of Giorgio Chiellini, has Italy facing an almost re-build despite their recent success.

Germany, by contrast, are heading to Qatar with a young and promising squad and coach in Hansi Flick who is unbeaten since taking charge last August (W8 D1).

Mancini has injury problems to contend with but he can't really afford to take another heavy defeat, so he'll try and shut up shop here with Germany favourites to win this one.

And because Italy could be in a spot of bother here, the 2.111/10 on them to have two cards or more is a solid building block for today's Bet Builder.

For our player portion, we're looking at Germany's Jamal Musiala, who is only 19 but big things are expected of him. After starting their two friendlies in March this is the perfect opportunity for him to start a big competitive game.

He's had four shots with two on target in his three previous competitive internationals - amounting to just 79 minutes on the pitch from three substitute appearances.

For Bayern Munich, the teenager hit the target nine times in his final five games of the season. He only started two of those so even off the bench his production is there.

It equates to a shot on target every 30 minutes in his last five games of the season - and that's a stat line too good to ignore.

He's 2.26/5 for just one shot on target here and even if he starts on the bench there's still confidence he can land this one.