Euro 2012 Predictions: How Stacked Group B Will Shake Out

Group B has been dubbed the "Group of Death" in the 2012 European Championships, and the four teams drawn will definitely be among the most intriguing to watch during the group stage of the tournament.

The toughest group in the competition consists of the Netherlands, Germany, Portugal and Denmark. The four teams are ranked No. 4, No. 2, No. 5 and No. 10, respectively, according to the FIFA World Rankings.

Germany and the Netherlands are the favorites to advance to the quarterfinal stage, meaning that Portugal and Denmark will need no further motivation than being deemed as the underdogs of the group.

The group beings play on June 9, the second day of the tournament, with the Netherlands playing Denmark and the Germans squaring off against Portugal.

Germany vs. Portugal

Both teams have exhibited defensive shortcomings in their recent matches. Portugal lost its last match 3-1 against a Turkey squad that was pegged as inferior. On May 26, Germany allowed five goals to the Swiss team in a 5-3 loss.

The Germans will be able to compensate for their issues on defense because they play more of a complete team game than the Portuguese. Mesut Ozil played extremely well for the team in the 2010 World Cup then accounted for 17 assists last season with Real Madrid. The German offense runs through him, which will draw attention away from Thomas Muller and Lukas Podolski.

Paulo Bento's team relies heavily on Cristiano Ronaldo for most of its offense, but the Real Madrid star will need a lot of help from his teammates. The main man to provide that help is Nani, but Portugal never knows which Nani it's going to get. Will it be the brilliant, goalscoring Nani? Or will it be the version that slinks into the background?

Either way, Germany is going to get a win in its first match of the tournament.

Predicted Score: 2-1 Germany

Netherlands vs. Denmark

Before the Bert van Marwijk's squad lost to Sweden in the last round of qualifying, it had scored 35 goals during a nine-match winning streak. Denmark was quite the opposite, as it scored just 15 goals in eight games of qualifying, but allowed just six.

The Netherlands have Gregory van der Wiel at the right-back position, and the 24-year-old defender will be able to neutralize the anemic Denmark attack. Denmark doesn't have any powerhouse attackers who will be able to combat van der Wiel's formidable defense.

This tilt is going to be a matchup of two different strengths: Denmark's defense against the Netherlands' offense. I have my money on Robin van Persie's boys to come away with a victory here. I also have my money on van Persie winning the golden boot in this tournament.

Predicted Score: 2-0 Netherlands

The teams then have three days off before they start up again on June 13, as the Netherlands and Germany square off and Portugal and Denmark meet.

Netherlands vs. Germany

This match will have the largest impact on who the group winner will be. It's star-studded and sure to be one of the most exciting of the group stage with players such as Ozil, Muller, Podolski, Mario Gotze, van Persie, Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben.

The two teams are going to employ fast-paced offensive game plans, as Joachim Low and van Marwijk know that they need to make sure their teams take advantage of the sub-par opposing defenses.

I'm predicting a late goal in this one that gives the Netherlands a victory, as well as a stranglehold on the group.

Predicted Score: 3-2 Netherlands

Portugal vs. Denmark

The two 0-1 teams meet in a matchup that will see them both scrambling to tie the Netherlands after Germany wins that game.

The strange thing about Portugal is that they have some of the most talented players but are consistently inconsistent. Ronaldo can't carry the team on his back for the entire tournament and Nani will fail to show up for one of these matches. The Portuguese are so frustrating because they don't play up to their potential.

I don't think they'll be able to pull it all together after starting the competition with a loss to Germany, and they will fall to this Denmark squad that is trying desperately to make a name for itself on the international stage.

Predicted Score: 2-1 Denmark

After another three days off, the teams convene on June 17. Portugal plays the Netherlands while Germany and Denmark will be pitted against each other.

Portugal vs. Netherlands

This one will be a tale of teams heading in opposite directions. Portugal will be on a two-game losing streak, and the Netherlands will be coming off a huge upset victory over Germany.

Robben, van Persie and Sneijder will continue the scoring onslaught against the inadequate Portugal defense, as the Portuguese are knocked out of the tournament at 0-3 and the Netherlands enter the quarterfinal stage on a roll at 3-0.

Predicted Score: 3-1 Netherlands

Germany vs. Denmark

If everything unravels as I predict it to, both of these teams will be 1-1 by the time they meet in Lviv to determine who will advance as the group runner-up behind the Netherlands.

Germany will be playing with a sense of urgency and will capitalize on its veteran edge over the young Denmark team who will be overmatched by the German attack.

The Danes will come out of the gate hot, but their offense won't be able to muster enough opportunities to be a significant threat. The Germans, on the other hand, start slow but go for the kill in the final 45 minutes to advance to the knockout stage.

Predicted Score: 2-0 Germany

Final Records

Netherlands: 3-0

Germany: 2-1

Denmark: 1-2

Portugal: 0-3