UEFA Nations League: Germany Seek Euro Revenge as England Pay Visit

Germany vs England

Gareth Southgate’s England got their UEFA Nations League campaign off to a disappointing start as they suffered a shock defeat to Hungary.

Southgate’s side will now be out to avoid back-to-back defeats as they visit old rivals Germany at the Allianz Arena in Munich.

The Germans extended their unbeaten run under coach Hansi Flick as they drew away against struggling European champions Italy. And the UEFA Nations League 2022 betting odds have them as slight favourites at home as they look to exact some revenge after their Euro 2020 defeat to England.

Talking Points

Germany still unbeaten under Flick

Germany began their Nations League campaign with a 1-1 draw away to Italy. Joshua Kimmich equalised just three minutes after Italy took the lead through Lorenzo Pellegrini.

With the draw, Germany remain unbeaten under Hansi Flick, who becomes just the third coach in German history to stay undefeated through his first 10 games.

The Germans dominated possession 68-32 against a significantly changed Azzurri side, but they were unable to create enough good chances.

Flick started five Bayern Munich players – Thomas Muller, Serge Gnabry, Leroy Sane, Leon Goretzka, and Kimmich – in midfield behind lone striker Timo Werner, but Flick eventually took the first four off.

Save for the full-backs – Benjamin Henrichs started on the right while Thilo Kehrer played out of position on the left – Flick started more or less his first-choice XI against Italy.

Although, he could make a few changes to shake up his attack. Kai Havertz, Jamal Musiala and Ilkay Gundogan all came on as substitutes and are the main candidates to come into the side.

There’s also a possibility that Flick switches from a back four, which he fielded in Italy, to a back three to match up better against the English.

England unbeaten run ends

England’s record 22-match unbeaten run finally came to an end as they lost 1-0 away to Hungary in their Nations League opener.

Gareth Southgate fielded an experimental 3-4-3 formation with James Justin and Trent Alexander-Arnold as wing-backs and Mason Mount and Jarrod Bowen either side of captain Harry Kane up front.

Bowen – who had a terrific season with West Ham United – was responsible for the majority of England’s UEFA Nations League 2022 highlights as he finished with a team-high four shots, two of which were on target.

However, the new-look Three Lions – who lost on penalties in the Euro 2020 final against Italy but hadn’t been beaten in 90 minutes since their 2-0 Nations League defeat to Belgium in November 2020 – looked disjointed as a whole and were unable to break down Hungary’s defence.

Southgate eventually switched to a 4-3-3, but they were still outplayed by Hungary, who had more shots on target (6-4) and scored through a Dominik Szoboszlai penalty.

After his side’s struggles against Hungary, it remains to be seen whether Southgate will stick to the 3-4-3 – the system he used in England’s 2-0 win over Germany in Euro 2020 – or play a different formation in Munich.

Raheem Sterling and Bukayo Saka, who both started alongside Kane in that famous win, are candidates to start should Southgate decide to switch his personnel.

History

The England-Germany rivalry has been a competitive one over the years. The Three Lions hold a slender 14-13 edge over the Germans after winning their most recent meeting in the Euro 2020 round of 16. Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling both scored as England ran out 2-0 winners at Wembley.

England’s last win in Germany came in a 2016 friendly. Kane once again got on the scoresheet as he sparked the Lions’ remarkable comeback from two goals down. They scored three times in the last half hour, with Eric Dier scoring the winner on 90 minutes.

Betting Tip 

SBOTOP odds have Germany as slight 2.40 favourites in this match owing to them being at home. England are similarly priced at 2.84, while a draw is 3.20.

While both teams will be hoping for their first win of this Nations League campaign after failing to get it in their opening matches, they may not get it in this game.

England will likely won’t be quite as poor as they were against Hungary, but beating their old rivals Germany away from home will be a tough ask for Southgate’s side.

I expect this to be another evenly contested match between the two countries, one that will likely end in a stalemate.

 

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