Arch rivals, England and Germany collide in a blockbuster Round of 16 clash at Euro 2020 as Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions play host to Joachim Low’s Die Mannschaft at Wembley Stadium, London.
England qualified as Group D winners despite only scoring two goals whilst Germany twice fought back against Hungary to snatch second in Group F, in turn setting up this encounter.
Team News
Gareth Southgate could rotate his England squad with Phil Foden set to be recalled after being benched in last Tuesday’s win over Czech Republic, having been booked during their goalless draw against Scotland in their second Group D match.
Mason Mount and Ben Chilwell are in contention to return after self-isolating following close contact with Scotland’s Billy Gilmour who tested positive for Coronavirus.
Germany remain without Lukas Klosterman who is struggling with a thigh injury as Jonas Hofmann is fit for selection, having recovered from a knee injury.
Stat Attack
- England are unbeaten in two previous Euro meetings against Germany excluding penalty shootouts (W1, D1), although Germany did win 6-5 on penalties after a 1-1 draw at Euro 1996 coincidentally at Wembley Stadium
- Germany have won just two of five previous competitive clashes against England at major tournaments when playing as the ‘away’ team (W2, D1, L2), including their penalty shootout victory at Euro 96.
- Both of England’s goals in Euro 2020 so far have been scored by Raheem Sterling via right foot and header respectively.
- Germany’s Kai Havertz has produced nine shots in three Euro 2020 matches, of which four were struck on target with two off target whilst three of his shots were blocked.
- This is the third meeting between England and Germany at a major tournament to be held at Wembley Stadium, with both previous clashes going to extra time at minimum – as England won 1966 World Cup Final 4-2 after extra-time before Germany won Euro 96 semi-final on penalties.
Prediction
Given the fierce rivalry between these two teams over the decades, England have done well to come into this match still yet to concede but they need an improved end product if they’re to advance because ti feels like they are either fatigued from a tightly congested season or just simmering under the boil.
Germany meanwhile have been defensively poor for all of their attacking quality at the other end and frankly are lucky to even still be in this tournament, especially after a contrastable performance against Hungary in which their attack looked hungry but defence looked passionless on several occasions.
If add in the fact that Germany can’t train on the pitch on the evening before this matchday on top of a ferocious home atmosphere, I genuinely wouldn’t be surprised if England find a way to win this if they can bring their end product to boil and take advantage of how poor Germany are against them as ‘away’ team.
Prediction: England 2-1 Germany
Result: England 2-0 Germany