Prediction: Germany vs Ghana

Germany

Germany closed out their World Cup qualifying campaign with a series of controlled, disciplined performances, keeping clean sheets in four of their final five matches. Comfortable victories over Luxembourg, Northern Ireland and Slovakia meant few anticipated a high‑scoring encounter when Die Nationalelf travelled to Basel to face Switzerland.

Instead, a dramatic contest unfolded at St Jakob‑Park. Germany found themselves trailing twice but produced a thrilling comeback to secure a 4–3 victory, inspired by a sensational display from Florian Wirtz. Operating primarily from the left but drifting into central areas, the Bayer Leverkusen playmaker was involved in all four goals, scoring twice and providing two assists to underline his growing influence.

That victory extended Germany’s winning run and further strengthened confidence around Julian Nagelsmann’s squad. While the head coach may be tempted to rotate his lineup in Stuttgart, any team he selects will still be expected to overwhelm a Ghana side struggling for form, even with no competitive consequences attached to the result.

Team News

Squad rotation appears likely. Bayern Munich teenager Lennart Karl is pushing for his first senior international start after replacing Leroy Sané during the Swiss match, and Nagelsmann may feel this is an ideal opportunity to hand the 18‑year‑old a chance on home soil.

Nick Woltemade could be deployed as the central striker to allow Kai Havertz a rest, while midfield changes may see Pascal Groß and Anton Stach replace Angelo Stiller and Leon Goretzka.

Defensive adjustments are also possible, with Eintracht Frankfurt left‑back Nathaniel Brown in contention to start ahead of David Raum, and Antonio Rüdiger and Malick Thiaw expected to anchor the centre of defence.

Ghana

Ghana’s form heading into Friday’s friendly against Austria was difficult to assess after their absence from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, with their previous competitive match having taken place last October. Few, however, would have predicted the scale of the collapse that followed in Orlando.

Although Jhon Arias gave the Black Stars an early lead, they conceded twice before the interval and then disintegrated after the break, shipping four second‑half goals in a crushing 5–1 defeat. That marked Ghana’s third consecutive loss, following narrow defeats to Japan and South Korea in November, and represented the first time they had conceded five goals since a 5–0 loss to Saudi Arabia in 2007.

Perhaps most concerning was the nature of the collapse. Prior to half‑time, Ghana had conceded only a 12th‑minute penalty converted by Marcel Sabitzer, but the defensive structure unravelled completely thereafter. Addo will take some comfort from the fact that his side still have a three‑month window to address these shortcomings before their World Cup opener against Panama on 18 June.

Team News

Team selection is expected to reflect the seriousness of the challenge. Antoine Semenyo, Jordan Ayew and Thomas Partey all played 86 minutes against Austria and are likely to start again as Addo looks to field his strongest available side.

Changes could come at full‑back, with Gideon Mensah and Marvin Senaya potentially replacing Derrick Köhn and Caleb Yirenkyi.

Ayew did at least find the net in the heavy loss, taking his international tally to 34 goals, and he will be eager to add to that total in a more competitive showing.

Conclusion

Ghana may attempt to begin aggressively in an effort to banish memories of their second‑half capitulation against Austria, but Germany’s depth, quality and attacking variety should gradually assert control.

Even with changes expected, Die Nationalelf appear well placed to extend their winning run and ease to a comfortable victory against a Ghana side still searching for stability.

Verdict: Total home goals over 2.5

Best odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Luckster