Unites States vs Germany match preview: All the stats, facts and odds ahead of key World Cup clash

A look ahead to the clash between Germany and USA at Recife

(AFP)

Both teams are set to collide for Group G’s final match knowing that a draw would be just fine for both of them to advance – however, the Germans are sitting comfortably on top of the table thanks to their superior goal record.

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Joachim Low seems like he will leave nothing to chance and will be looking to avoid another tumble like last week by featuring almost the identical line-up. One of the expected differences will be the inclusion of Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger, which means that team captain Philipp Lahm will move back to his natural position of a full-back. The Germans are also fortunate to have an ideal solution on the bench as striker Miroslav Klose would love to score another goal and become the all-time top scorer in the World Cup.

USA manager Jurgen Klinsmann will be facing the team for which he played 108 times and scored 47 goals. The 49-year-old seems keen to play out the same line-up with much being expected by the form of Clint Dempsey and the skills of Michael Bradley. The Stars and Stripes will of course be missing Sunderland striker Jozy Altidore who suffered a hamstring strain at the Group opener.

KICK-OFF: Thursday, 5pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS:

USA 4 (Altidore, ter Stegen og, Dempsey 2) Germany 3 (Westermann, Kruse, Draxler), International Friendly, June 2013

Germany 4 (Schweinsteiger, Neuville, Klose, Ballack) USA 1 (Cherundolo), International Friendly, March 2006

Germany 1 (Ballack) USA 0, World Cup, June 2002

STATS:

Miroslav Klose scored his 15 World Cup goal last week and is now the joint all-time top scorer in the history of the competition alongside Ronaldo.

The Lazio striker is also the third man to score in four World Cup editions; the other two are fellow countryman Uwe Seeler and Brazilian legend Pele.

Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker picked up his 100 international cap last week. This made him the 13 centurion in the team’s history.

Germany have only lost one out of their last 20 World Cup group stage matches, in the process they have won 14 and drawn five. However, the Germans have failed to maintain a clean sheet in their last six World Cup matches where they conceded eight goals.

USA have only kept two clean sheets in their last 25 World Cup matches. However, the Stars and Stripes have scored in eight successive games in the competition.

ODDS:

USA to win: 10.0

Germany to win: 1.72

Draw: 2.62

TV: Live on BBC One/BBC Three at 5pm