Ice Hockey World Championship Group Stage, Wednesday, 15.05.2024
Germany have a negative record at this Ice Hockey World Cup 2024 ahead of the 4th group matchday. The defense is making unusual mistakes, probably also because Marco Sturm and Maksymilian Szuber have not been able to play recently.
So far, I have been able to guide you successfully to a payout with verified German bookmakers for every match of the “eagle bearers”. In my Germany Latvia betting tip, I will try to stay true to this trend.
The worst news of the last few days for all fans of the DEB selection, apart from the loss of Nico Sturm in the two games against the USA and Sweden, was certainly the victory of the Slovaks.
The Eagles’ opening opponents at the 2024 Ice Hockey World Championship defeated the USA in overtime and were thus able to collect two of the otherwise three points for a win in regulation time.
This is unpleasant for last year’s runners-up because although they were able to overcome the Eastern Europeans 6:4 on the first day of the competition, they now suddenly have to worry about third place again. The Slovaks could still overtake them after all
The DEB team must finish third in this Group B at all costs to avoid a potential horror quarter-final against Canada.
After losing the two duels against the USA (1:6) and Sweden (1:6) against the top teams in this group, the runners-up in the world championship will now have to get back on track against Latvia.
Germany will certainly benefit from the fact that the Baltics are no longer in the same form as they were at their home World Championships a year ago, when they surprisingly finished in 3rd place. Look at their record at this World Cup in the Czech Republic and you’ll understand why
Latvia have a positive record in the Czech Republic, but while Germany have faced three top teams so far in Slovakia, Sweden and the USA, the Baltic team’s start to the tournament has been rather “easy”.
Nevertheless, the first two victories over promoted Poland and relegation-threatened France, 5:4 and 3:2 respectively, were only achieved after a nerve-wracking overtime. That leaves a lot to be desired.
In my opinion, Germany will have a hard time getting anywhere near the semi-finals, but this opponent should suit them much better than Sweden or the USA.
If only because Latvia has only one active NHL player in Elvis Merzlikins
Germany should get Marco Sturm back on Wednesday, which is of course of enormous importance in order to be able to provide the necessary impetus – pardon the pun – in the forward line. Without the player from the San Jose Sharks, the Germans have lacked momentum in offense of late.
Latvia should not be overwhelmed, but they will have to fight much harder than against FRA and POL.
And since they already stumbled considerably against these two technically inferior field hockey powers, a JJ Peterka – who hasn’t really found his way into the tournament yet – could cause them enormous difficulties in the game against the puck.
The Buffalo Sabres player was still a feast for the eyes in 2022 with 12 scoring points, but he’s had a tough time against the USA and Sweden so far.
The Latvians, for their part, don’t have a single world-class defenseman in their ranks.
And one of them, Markuss Komuls, is currently without a club, so Peterka should get far more chances to show off his talent than he did in the first three games
Now to the all-important question: Are the Germany-Latvia odds for a win for the reigning runners-up at around 1.70 even worth the risk?
That depends on whether Nico Sturm actually plays or not. But even with the NHL player up front, it’s certainly not a bet that you could wring a lot of “value” out of.
In view of the inability of the DEB selection to finish a game without conceding goals at this World Cup, I think the following option is more interesting, promising you odds of around 2.10: Victory GER & both teams score
Conclusion: With the USA and Sweden, Germany faced two teams that are equally capable of winning gold and were simply far superior in all areas of the game.
Latvia, however, are by far the easiest opponent and capable of far fewer actions in which the individual class of a single player could make the difference. That was Germany’s undoing against SWE and the USA.
The Balts are therefore a team that can beat the DEB selection with the means at their disposal. But even if this is the case, they will probably not be able to avoid conceding a goal this time either.
My Germany-Latvia tip: GER wins & both score
