Overview
Germany entered this match after a 2-0 victory over Luxembourg. Newcastle United striker Nick Woltemade scored a double to help Die Nationalelf continue to lead Group A with 12 points.
However, Julian Nagelsmann's team is still not really safe, as they are only ahead of Slovakia - the second-placed team - in goal difference. Both teams have won 4 and lost 1 after five matches.
Germany lost 0-2 to Slovakia in the opening match of the group stage, but have returned strongly with 4 consecutive victories, including two defeats to Northern Ireland and Luxembourg. However, this challenge is predicted to be much more difficult.
The German team has won the World Cup four times, but has been eliminated from the group stage in the last two tournaments.
Currently, they are already in the top 2 and will qualify directly for the World Cup next summer if they do not lose in this match. On the contrary, if Slovakia wins, Nagelsmann's team will be pushed down to the play-off round.
Slovakia has also secured a top 2 finish and will qualify for the final round as the top team if they defeat Germany.
Francesco Calzona's team entered this match with a high mentality after a narrow 1-0 victory over Northern Ireland. Thomas Bobcek scored the decisive goal in the final minutes of the match.
They have previously made an impressive start to the qualifying round, defeating Germany and Luxembourg in their opening two matches. Despite losing to Northern Ireland away, Slovakia still recovered in time by winning all 6 points in the two rematches against Luxembourg and Northern Ireland at home.
The last time Slovakia participated in the World Cup finals was in 2010, when they made their mark by reaching the round of 16. However, this team has been absent from all three recent World Cups.
The history of the head-to-head also brought some confidence to Calzona's team. Slovakia have won 4 out of 12 meetings with the German national team in all competitions, including 2 wins in the last 3 matches against their opponents.
Personnel situation
Germany are missing a number of key players due to injury, with Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Antonio Rudiger, Jamal Musiala and Kai Havertz all unable to participate.
However, they did not record any new injuries after the victory over Luxembourg. Joshua Kimmich and Nico Schlotterbeck are likely to return after missing the previous round due to a few minor problems.
Woltemade, who has scored three goals in seven appearances for Germany, is expected to continue as a key striker. In addition, Florian Wirtz - the Liverpool star - is also likely to be given the opportunity to start.
On the other side, Slovakia will put their faith in David Strelec. The striker has scored eight goals in 34 appearances for the national team and is expected to start as a centre-forward.
Two experienced names Martin Dubravka and Milan Skriniar will continue to be important factors in the Calzona squad. Meanwhile, David Hancko is expected to take up the left-back position.
Up front, there are no notable changes as David Duris is almost certain to be present from the start. Tomas Rigo is also expected to feature in Slovakia's squad.
Expected lineup:
Germany: Baumann, Baku, Schlotterbeck, Tah, Raum, Kimmich, Goretzka, Sane, Wirtz, Gnabry, Woltemade.
Slovakia: Dubravka, Gyomber, Skriniar, Obert, Hancko, Bero, lobotka, Rigo, Duris, Strelec, Haraslin.
The match between Germany and Slovakia takes place at 2:45 am on November 18 (Vietnam time).
