[Teams] Podolski Starts, Mertesacker Dropped For Germany

Arsenal fans will get a chance to run the rule over new signing Lukas Podolski, as Germany take on Portugal tonight in the first round of Group B matches at Euro 2012.

Podolski joined the Gunners from Cologne this summer and will earn his 98th cap against Portugal, an amazing figure considering he’s still just 27-years-old.

Big Per Mertesacker has been left out, with Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels preferred at the back. Mertesacker missed the last 3 months of the season with an achilles injury, so perhaps he hasn’t been able to prove his fitness in time.

Here are the confirmed line-ups:

Germany Team

Neuer, Boateng, Hummels, Badstuber, Lahm, Khedira, Schweinsteiger, Müller, Özil, Podolski, Gomez.

Portugal Team

Patricio; Pereira, Pepe, Alves, Coentrao; Veloso, Moutinho, Meireles; Postiga, Nani, Ronaldo.

The result? Germany are a very well organised and efficient team and they know how to get the job done. Despite the flair of Ronaldo and Nani, i can see the German’s winning this one. It would be great to see Podolski on the scoresheet as well!

What do you think the score will be? Get involved in the comments section.