GERMANY vs PORTUGAL

GROUP B Kick-off: 7.45pm Today

GERMANY:

Having been one of the best sides at the last World Cup in South Africa, Germany have been well backed to win Euro 2012, but they have been drawn in the toughest group and will be desperate to make a strong start today.

Their attacking strength is formidable, with the likes of Miroslav Klose, Mario Gomez, Lukas Podolski, Mezut Ozil and Thomas Muller all hoping to be involved.Their defence is slightly more suspect, with much depending on Arsenal centre-half Per Mertesacker.

Likely line-up (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Boateng, Hummels, Mertesacker, Lahm; Kedira, Schweinsteiger; Muller, Ozil, Podolski; Klose.

Germany's star man: MEZUT OZIL - The Real Madrid midfielder scored five goals and claimed seven assists in qualifying and is at the head of Germany's crop of exciting youngsters.

PORTUGAL:

They under-performed spectacularly in South Africa and needed a play-off just to make this summer's finals, but Portugal remain one of the most star-studded sides competing in Poland and Ukraine.

Cristiano Ronaldo has just enjoyed arguably his best season ever with Real Madrid, and while the lack of a natural striker remains a problem, the likes of Nani, Raul Meireles and Pepe lend the Portuguese squad impressive depth.

Likely line-up (4-3-3): Patricio; Pereira, Alves, Pepe, Coentrao; Meireles, Veloso, Moutinho; Nani, Postiga, Ronaldo.

Portugal's star man: CRISTIANO RONALDO - An obvious choice, but the former Manchester United winger is by far and away his side's likeliest match winner.

Match odds: Germany 11-10, Portugal 11-4, Draw 23-10

First goalscorer: Gomez (Germany) 11-2, Ronaldo (Portugal) 11-2, Klose (Germany) 6-1, Podolski (Germany) 13-2

Best bet: Klose to score at any time 9-4

Did you know: Germany beat Portugal in a five-goal thriller in the quarter-finals of the last European Championships in Austria and Switzerland.

Prediction: With both sides better going forward than in defence, there are likely to be plenty of goals in Lviv. Germany look especially strong though and should prevail. 3-1