Verdict: Germany win
Best Odds: 1/2
Bookmaker: Luckster
Getting their World Cup qualifying campaign underway on Thursday night, Germany will make the trip to Slovakia for their first Group A showdown.
Slovakia
Starting with the hosts, while Slovakia might have gained plenty of plaudits last year as they embarked on an eye-catching Nations League group stage flurry, Francesco Calzona’s men have largely come crashing back down to earth so far this calendar year. Missing out on the chance to book a League B spot back on March 23rd as they eventually fell to a 1-0 aggregate defeat against Slovenia, the Blues will be bracing themselves for a heavyweight challenge here. Last seen in international action getting hit with a 1-0 loss at the hands of Israel, Slovakia have shown some worrying issues in the final third. In fact, Thursday’s hosts have registered just a single strike in any of their last four matchups across all competitions.
Slovakia Team News
Making a summer switch to Premier League returners Burnley, former Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka will start between the sticks on Thursday night and will earn a 54th international cap.
Starting in each of Atletico Madrid’s first three La Liga appearances this season, David Hancko will start at the heart of Slovakia’s defence in midweek. Making his move to Fenerbahce a permanent one last month, Milan Skriniar will partner Hancko at the back.
Germany
As for the visitors, while Germany might have stormed their way to a Nations League knockout stage ticket last year, Julian Nagelsmann’s superstar squad find themselves in an almost identical position to Thursday’s opponents. Watching their Nations League adventure come to an end back on June 8th as they fell to a routine 2-0 defeat against historic rivals France, the former Bayern Munich boss is desperately seeking an essential boost. Suffering back-to-back competitive defeats for the fist time since back in November 2023, the European giants have also some under some serious scrutiny. However, landing what was a routine 3-0 romp when they last met Slovakia back nine years ago, Nagelsmann’s side are pencilled in as a standout contender when they open their World Cup qualifying adventure here.
Germany Team News
Undergoing knee surgery last week after sustaining a long-term knee injury, Arsenal forward Kai Havertz will not feature. Likewise, all dealing with respective injury issues, Jamal Musiala, Tom Bischof, Nico Schlotterbeck and Tim Kleindienst have not been included in Nagelsmann’s squad.
However, eventually staying put at Stuttgart following serious summer interest, Angelo Stiller could start in the middle of the park. West Ham striker Niclas Fullkrug has been recalled and could lead the line on foreign soil.
Slovakia vs Germany Key Factors to Consider
- When Slovakia and Germany last met back in 2016, Thursday’s guests collected a routine 3-0 victory on home soil.
- Germany have suffered competitive defeats for the first time since back in November 2023.
- The European giants have remarkably registered consecutive clean sheets on just a single occasion since way back in November 2021.
- Slovakia have bagged just a single strike in any of their first four appearances so far this calendar year.
- The last four meetings between Slovakia and Germany have produced 15 goals at both ends of the pitch.
Conclusion
Suffering back-to-back defeats for the first time since November 2023, Germany are seeking a real response when they open their World Cup qualifying adventure on Thursday night. However, despite gaining a reputation for their extended defensive issues, the European giants are pencilled in as a standout contender here. Storming their way to what was a routine 3-0 victory when they last met Slovakia back in 2016, Nagelsmann’s camp should be confident of getting proceedings underway with an opening statement. With Thursday’s hosts showing some major attacking struggles so far this calendar year, we are backing what should be a routine away victory in midweek.
Verdict: Germany win
Best Odds: 1/2
Bookmaker: Luckster
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