International Friendly: Germany vs Spain preview

Two of the favourites for the 2018 World Cup test their strengths and weaknesses on Friday in an international friendly match, Germany host Spain at Esprit Arena in Dusseldorf. The last time these two sides met was also in a friendly match in 2014, which Germany won 1-0 in Spain, while at the 2010 World Cup the Spaniards prevailed 1-0 thanks to a headers from former captain Carles Puyol. Spain also defeated Germany 1-0 at the 2008 European Championships and back then it was striker Fernando Torres who scored the winning goal. Germany have not lost any of their 21 matches since the elimination from the 2016 European Championships, they won their World Cup qualification group with ten wins out of ten matches, 43 goals scored and just 4 conceded. However, they were held to draws in the last two friendly matches after the World Cup qualification campaign, 2-2 at home against France and 0-0 in England. Liverpool midfielder Emre Can is having some back problems and he might not be risked in this match. Spain are also unbeaten since they got knocked out of Euro 2016, but they have played just sixteen matches since then. They had a tougher World Cup qualification group than Germany as they had to battle Italy for first place, but the Spaniards prevailed eventually after having recorded 9 wins and 1 draw, 36 goals scored and just three conceded. They played a pair of friendlies in November, but after a commanding 5-0 victory over Costa Rica they recorded a 3-3 draw in Russia. Sergio Ramos and Thiago Alcantara are injury doubts for the away side. Probable line-ups: Germany: Ter Stegen - Kimmich, Boateng, Hummels, Plattenhardt - Kroos, Khedira - Muller, Ozil, Sane - Werner Spain: De Gea - Azpilicueta, Ramos, Pique, Alba - Koke, Rodri, Iniesta - Silva, Costa, Asensio My prediction: 1-1 draw. Here are the odds for the match at Bet365: Germany win - 2.39 Draw - 3.39 Spain win - 3.20