Germany vs. Ukraine Betting Odds Preview, Euro 2016 Prediction

Germany will be gunning for back-to-back wins for the first time in their last eight games as they battle Ukraine as a strong -165 (bet $165 to win $100) betting favorite at sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark in their Euro 2016 opening match at Stade Pierre-Mauroy.

Ukraine are riding a four-game win streak into the tournament but trail badly on the match odds.

Match Odds: Germany -165, Ukraine +475, Draw +300 (Matchup Report)

Led by Thomas Muller, a favorite to claim top goalscorer honors at the sportsbooks, Germany kick off their quest to win their fourth Euro title in second spot on the odds to win Euro 2016.

The defending World Cup champions marched through Euro 2016 qualifying with a 7-1-2 record to claim top spot in Group C but have struggled badly with consistency over the past year. The Germans have lost five of their past 11 contests and have failed to string together wins since posting Euro qualifying victories over Poland and Scotland last September.

Die Mannschaft also suffered stunning clean-sheet losses to Poland and Ireland during the qualifying and finished just one point ahead of Poland, who tallied one fewer loss and outscored Germany by nine goals during the qualification tournament.

The Eagles followed up with just two wins in five friendly matches, dominating in a 4-1 win over Italy, and picking up a 2-0 victory in a pre-tournament date with Hungary. They fell to defeat in matchups with France and England and dropped a 3-1 decision to Slovakia in pre-tournament action late last month.

Considered a middle power in European soccer, Ukraine enjoy minimal experience at major tournaments, failing to qualify for the past two World Cups. Ukraine made their first-ever Euro appearance as co-host nation in 2012 and secured a berth this time around with a playoff victory.

The club enters the tournament on a roll, undefeated in their past six, and have dropped just one decision in 11 outings over the past 12 months, a 1-0 loss to Spain.

The Ukraine defense has proven effective over the past year, recording clean sheets in six outings, but were unable to hold off a feisty Romanian offense late in a 4-3 pre-tournament win over the Tricolorii two weeks ago.

Ukraine will have to tighten up their defense to have any chance against the world champions, whom they are winless against in five all-time meetings, surrendering seven total goals in their past two clashes.

Germany vs. Ukraine Prediction: 2-0 Germany

All betting lines data courtesy of Odds Shark. Check out the latest Euro 2016 news.