After a winless start to the Nations League campaign this term, England will be looking to turn their form around when they host Germany at Wembley Stadium on Monday at 19:45 GMT.
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Can England Win their First Nations League Match this Term?
Gareth Southgate will be looking to turn his side’s form around in this blockbuster fixture at Wembley. The focus will be on getting their Nations League off the ground with a win in front of the home fans.
The Three Lions have exhibited some softness in their spine in recent matches, especially in the 0-4 defeat to Hungary. The team’s focus ahead of the clash with Germany is restoring their solidity without negatively affecting their attacking threat.
Southgate will look to tweak the personnel and shape of the team to get the best out of the important players that were instrumental in taking them to the Euros finals.
Can Germany make it Two Wins on the Trot in the Nations League?
Germany will be looking to take the lead in Group C with a win over England at Wembley. Although they are unbeaten, Hansi Flick’s side have won just once in their Nations League campaign so far.
Flick will be hoping that his side can display the cutting edge and character they need to win big matches at big stages.
His focus will be on setting up his side to manage England’s attacking threats down the flanks and in transitions. Flick will have to set the defensive shape in a way that does not affect his attacking play.
Form Guide
England
England are winless in the Nations League campaign, which comprises four outings so far. The Three Lions have two points from two draws while they have lost the remaining two fixtures.
On matchday 1, away to Hungary, Southgate’s men surprisingly lost 1-0 against the hosts. This performance was followed by a respectable 1-1 draw away to Germany before another big match ended in a 0-0 stalemate against Italy.
The worst result of England’s Nations League campaign came in their last outing, which ended in a 0-4 drubbing at home to Hungary.
Germany
Germany started their Nations League campaign with three consecutive draws. These came against Italy (1-1), England (1-1), and Hungary (1-1). They finally won their first match in the campaign in the 5-2 demolition of Italy on matchday 4.
Apart from the 5-2 win over Italy, Germany scored three goals and conceded three. Hansi Flick’s side have not kept a clean sheet in the Nations League this term.
The focus for the team will be to bolster their solidity while enhancing their attacking threat. This will especially be crucial in the clash with England given the Three Lions’ attacking threat.
Possible Starting Lineups
England
Pickford; K. Trippier, H. Maguire, J. Stones, K. Walker; J. Henderson, D. Rice; R. Starling, M. Mount, B. Saka; H. Kane
Germany
Neuer; L. Klostermann; A. Rudiger, N. Schlotterbeck; J. Hofmann, J. Kimmich, i. Gundogan, D. Raum; T. Muller, J. Musiala; K. Havertz
Players to Watch
H. Kane
The Tottenham striker is the talisman for the Three Lions. He has started the season impressively, with six goals in seven appearances for Antonio Conte’s side. Gareth Southgate will be looking to leverage this goo vein of form for the clash with Germany.
Kane offers goal scoring threat while being crucial for the creativity of the team’s attack. He can drop into midfield to link-up play with other attackers, and release the wide players cutting inside.
Kane will be central to England’s attacking play in the clash with Germany.
i. Gundogan
The Manchester City midfielder offers defensive solidity and attacking guile at the same time.
Gundogan is good at closing down space in midfield, tackling, winning back possession for his team, and driving with the ball into attacking areas.
Gundogan will be helpful to Germany as they will look to win the midfield battle at Wembley when they face England.
Prediction
England will look to maintain solidity by employing a back-three with wingbacks. This shape will give them defensive compactness while retaining their attacking impetus through wingbacks and the attacking players.
Germany will equally use a back-three with wing-backs. They will look to use their passing to dominate the midfield and form the base for their attacks.
England will have the home-ground edge, which will carry them to a win over Germany.
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