On Sunday night, Spain and Germany go head-to-head in Group E of the World Cup in what could be a crucial game.
Spain form guideLa Roja certainly made a bright start to their World Cup 2022 campaign, as Luis Enrique’s team hammered Costa Rica 7-0 in their opening game of the tournament.
The victory put Spain in pole position to win the group, and another victory in this clash will secure their passage into the competition's knockout stages.
Winning last time out also means Spain has recorded five wins in their previous six outings. La Roja also have a decent recent defensive record, keeping four clean sheets in their last six internationals.
Spain have not been beaten in 90 minutes in their last six matches at the World Cup and will fancy their chances of maintaining that record in this clash.
Germany form guideHansi Flick’s team experienced one of the biggest shock defeats of the tournament so far when they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Japan. The loss puts Germany in a perilous position as if they suffer another defeat, they will exit the World Cup at the group stages for a second straight campaign.
The loss against Japan may have been a shock, but the result means that the four-time World champions have won just one of their last four games. Germany also has a poor recent record at the World Cup, having won just one of their previous five matches while losing three of their last four.
Latest team newsSpain are likely to name an unchanged starting line-up after the big win in their opener. Germany head coach Hansi Flick may also stick with the same starting eleven, although Bayern Munich winger Leroy Sane could be in contention to start now that he is fully fit.
What am I backing?I fancy Spain to record another victory in this clash. Germany will no doubt produce a better performance than in their opening game, but I don’t believe it will be enough to prevent defeat against this talented young Spanish side.