Preview: Spain vs. Germany - Prediction, Team News, Lineups

After a shock 1-2 loss to Japan on the first day of competition, Germany could respond quickly and straightforwardly. Unfortunately for them, waiting for Die Nationalelf at Al Bayt Stadium on Sunday will be a Spain team that won 7-0 over Costa Rica in the previous game.
Germany knows that defeat could send them out for the second time in a row in the group stage at the World Cup, an astonishing event before 2018, they hadn't been able to get past the first round of the tournament since 1938. Pressure has been mounting on head coach Hansi Flick, who has suggested one of his main goals ahead of Sunday's game is to make sure the team believes they can prevail.
Where: Al Bayt Stadium
When: Sunday, Nov. 27, 2200, local (1900 GMT/1400 ET)
Odds: Spain win 11/8, Germany win 15/8, Draw 12/5

Match Preview

Spain won the World Cup in 2010 - their only success to date - while Germany has won the cup four times, most recently in 2014 in Brazil.
Spain beat Germany 6-0 in their last meeting in November 2020 in the UEFA Nations League.
Spain will qualify for the knockout round if they win. Failure for Germany would mean disqualification if Japan gets at least one point in the game against Costa Rica.
Germany failed to qualify for the group stage at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, losing to Mexico and South Korea. It was their earliest departure from the competition in decades.
Previous meetings: The two sides have met 25 times before, in which Germany won 9 times, Spain won 8 and drew 8.

Team News

Spain

Source: Khelnow

Although they are unlikely to score seven goals again (possibly) at this World Cup, Spain will certainly cause one or two more sides (at least) plenty of fits and problems with their high-tempo press. Young and energetic as ever with Pedri, Gavi, Dani Olmo, Ferran Torres and Marco Asensio in attack, Luis Enrique's men will not take the lead after just one game, with the experience of Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba.
Spain coach Enrique may decide to name his starting line-up unchanged on Sunday following their bold win over Costa Rica, with the attacking trio of Torres, Asensio and Olmo all lined up. to keep their place in the versatile attacking trio. 18-year-old star Gavi, who made World Cup history with Wednesday's goal, is expected to start again alongside fellow Barcelona midfielders Pedri and Sergio Busquets.
Aymeric Laporte was unexpectedly placed by Manchester City teammate Rodri as a centre-back, who could hold a central position in defense against Pau Torres and Eric Garcia. After replacing the injured Jose Gaya in Enrique's 26-man squad, Alejandro Balde came on from the bench to make his national team debut against Costa Rica, but the 19-year-old will start again. from the bench on Sunday, alongside Jordi. Alba is ready to start at left-back.
Germany

Source: khelnow

On the German side, Leroy Sane missed the defeat against Japan due to a knee injury and the Bayern Munich winger is still out for Sunday's game, despite having returned to training for the past few days. Flick is unlikely to make too many changes, if any, to his starting line-up, with a back four of Niklas Sule, Antonio Rudiger, Nico Schlotterbeck and David Raum kept in place, protecting captain Manuel Neuer between the frames.
Gundogan will be hoping to keep his place in central midfield alongside Joshua Kimmich, with the City player looking set to become the first player since 2002's Miroslav Klose to score in both games. Germany's first World Cup. Kai Havertz struggled in the final third match last time out and his lead could be threatened by Karim Adeyemi, Niclas Fullkrug and Youssoufa Moukoko.

Source: theanalyst

Spain's possible starting lineup:

Germany's possible starting lineup:

Spain 2-1 Germany