England boss Gareth Southgate is feeling the squeeze following the Three Lions’ unexpected relegation from the Nations League, though some positivity could be restored with a the right result against old enemy, Germany, at Wembley Stadium this evening. Can England snap a five-game winless slump with a victory over Die Mannschaft in London?
We’ve compiled a collection of stats for the showpiece showdown below, with key info on xG, corners, shots, shots on target, fouls, cards and more from the sides’ underwhelming Nations League campaigns. Hopefully, you’ll find them of use when putting your bet builders together this evening.
starting Lineups
With tension rising in the England camp, Gareth Southgate appears to be sticking it out with 5 at the back.
Shaw and James start at wing back, while former City teammates Foden and Sterling start.
John Stones is available again following a suspension, though the defender’s Man City clubmate Jack Grealish serves a ban following his yellow card against Italy and the attacking midfielder misses out here.
Big news here with Germany mirroring England’s formation in a 5-2-3. Schlotterbeck, Sule and Kehrer start at the back.
Ex-Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger picked up a yellow card against Hungary and is suspended this evening, while Bayern Munich pair Manuel Neuer and Leon Goretzka have tested positive for COVID-19 and will also miss out.
Team Stats
England have performed horribly in the Nations League and look a shadow of the team that blitzed all comers during their World Cup qualification journey.
Despite scoring just 1 goal in the Nations League in 5 outings, their xG suggests they should’ve scored over 8. They’ve outdone their opponents in shots, corners, possession and cards but not the all important goals.
Like England, Germany managed to secure a place at the World Cup with relative ease, but have faltered at this competition. 1 win and 3 draws so far and fairly balanced in all their fixtures.
Bizarrely, their threat in the final third has all but evaporated in the Nations League where they have notched just eight times in five matches. Five of those efforts were registered in a single victory against Italy (5-2).
Player Shots and Shots on Target
England skipper Harry Kane was a one-man wrecking ball for England during the World Cup qualifiers and the Spurs forward still registers almost 4 shots a game. His clinical nature is wavering though, with 37% of his shots making it on target, and just the 1 hitting the back of the net.
Mason Mount takes the crown for best shot on target rate per 90 (1.55) and will hope to come off the bench, while John Stones beats wingers Saka and Sterling to third place.
Former Chelsea forward Timo Werner ranks best for Germany for shots per 90 (2.13), but his starting place up top has been stolen by former teammate Kai Havertz.
No other player averages over a shot on target per game with Bayern Munich teammates Thomas Muller and Leroy Sane the only ones to get close in terms of attempts.
Player Goals and Assists
Harry Kane bagged an impressive 12 goals and two assists in eight qualification appearances for England, though the 29-year-old’s only strike in the Nations League in five runouts was converted from the penalty spot.
Incredibly, that spot kick is England’s only goal in the competitions so far and influential World Cup qualification campaign performers Harry Maguire (4 goals), Raheem Sterling (2) and Bukayo Saka (3) have offered nothing for the Three Lions in the Nations League.
The list of Germany’s goal-getters during their World Cup qualification campaign was diverse and Timo Werner, Serge Gnabry and Ilkay Gundogan all chipped in with five goals each.
In the Nations League, Bayern players Joshua Kimmich (3), Thomas Muller (2) and Serge Gnabry (2) have contributed to 8 goals in the competition so far. Makeshift right-back Jonas Hofmann has also struck twice and will be slightly more advanced tonight.
England Cards
Harry Maguire (0.99 fouls per 90) has always had a clumsy tackle or two in his locker, however, the under-fire Manchester United captain, who is been on the receiving end of tons of scrutiny, looks even less assured at present.
Maguire’s defensive partner, John Stones (1.35), should be back in the England XI following a suspension this evening. The 28-year-old was sent off for two bookable offences in his last Nations League appearance against Hungary.
Elsewhere, the cards and the fouls have come from the rest of the defence, with Reece James, Kyle Walker and Eric Dier all with a combative streak.
Former Chelsea academy starlet Jamal Musiala (fouled 2.14 times p/90) will be keen to impress against England this evening having represented them at youth level and the 19-year-old has the skill set to draw fouls from his dribbles (6.00 p/90)
Behind him, the attack-minded Jonas Hofmann finds himself drawing even more fouls per 90 (2.15), and whoever starts at left-back is going to have a real struggle tonight.
Match-Ups to watch
Harry Maguire vs Jamal Musiala
John Stones vs Leroy Sane
Luke Shaw vs Jonas Hofmann
Germany Cards
Nico Schlotterbeck has received 2 yellows in his 2 runouts in the Nations League, no thanks to his 1.50 fould per 90.
With Tilo Kehrer (2.00) deputising for the suspended Rudiger, I’d expect him to continue to make fouls from deep.
Joshua Kimmich (0.80 fouls) is also a firm favourite with card bettors. The 27-year-old has picked up seven bookings in all competitions this term, and won us a 7/2 in-play cards bet last week on my Twitter.
Jack Grealish (4.29 p/90) was fouled more often than any other England player in the World Cup qualifiers, but with the Man City man suspended this evening, Phil Foden, Raheem Sterling and Jude Bellingham should draw the most attention.
Kane was fouled 2.46 times per 90 minutes in England WC qualification group and he will be marked by the relatively inexperienced Nico Schlotterbeck this evening.
Raheem Sterling (fouled 2.26 times p/90) has feet quick enough to bamboozle David Raum, while Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham (1.60) should be shadowed by Bayern’s Joshua Kimmich in the middle of the pitch.
Match-Ups to watch
Nico Schlotterbeck vs Raheem Sterling
Tilo Kehrer vs Phil Foden
Joshua Kimmich vs Jude Bellingham
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Good luck if you’re placing a bet builder and keep those stakes sensible.
Southgate out.
