Germany U20 vs Kazakhstan U20: betting odds January 2, 2025

The relegation playoff match in the World Junior Championship between Germany and Kazakhstan will take place on January 2 at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa. Germany vs. Kazakhstan: prediction and betting odds, statistics.

Germany

In the current World Junior Championship, Germany managed to earn a single point in a match against Latvia, losing in overtime (3-4). The team became the most conceding side in their group, allowing 20 goals. Notably, Germany will play in the relegation playoff for the second consecutive year, having defeated Norway at this stage last year (5-4 OT). Key player Julius Sumpf has scored four points (1 goal, 3 assists) in the tournament so far.

• Germany has lost in regulation time in 6 of their last 8 World Junior Championship matches.
• The team has scored no more than four goals in regulation time in 4 of their last 6 head-to-head encounters in this tournament.
• Germany has conceded at least three goals in regulation time in their last 11 World Junior Championship games.

Kazakhstan

After five years, Kazakhstan returned to the elite and is now at risk of relegation again. The team earned their only point in the current World Junior Championship in a match against Slovakia, losing in overtime (4-5). Kazakhstan became the lowest-scoring team in the group stage (8 goals) and conceded the most goals in the tournament (30 goals). Key players for Kazakhstan include Kirill Lyapunov (3 goals) and Beibarys Orazov (3 assists).

• Kazakhstan has not lost in regulation time in 6 of their last 9 official matches (4 wins, 2 draws).
• At least eight goals have been scored in regulation time in 4 of Kazakhstan's last 5 official matches.
• The team has scored at least two goals in regulation time in 4 of their last 6 head-to-head encounters in the World Junior Championship.

Germany vs. Kazakhstan: Match Prediction

Germany will fight for the right to stay in the top division for the second consecutive time and has a good chance of maintaining their elite status. Kazakhstan's level was evident even before the tournament began, and they have predictably struggled, conceding the most goals and averaging no more than two goals per game.

Germany, despite conceding the most in their group, showed flashes of promise. While hopes were slim in matches against Canada and the USA, they could have secured maximum points against Latvia and at least grabbed some points against Finland.

I don't expect an upset, and Germany is likely to win. The team's level is above Kazakhstan, and Germany has won in regulation time in 5 of their last 7 head-to-head encounters in the World Junior Championship, with a margin of at least two goals in four of those matches.

My prediction: Germany with a handicap (-2)