Prediction: Germany vs Spain

Verdict: Germany win

Best Odds: 11/8

Bookmaker: Unibet

With international football making its return in mouth-watering fashion, the Nations League will get underway when Germany welcomes Spain to Stuttgart on Thursday night.

Germany

Starting with the hosts, last seen back in November when signing off their European qualifying campaign with a thumping 6-1 win against Northern Ireland on home soil, Germany’s resurge has been noted by many across Europe. While many might have felt it was time for Joachim Löw to leave his role after their disappointing group-stage exit at the 2018 World Cup out in Russia, the Whites stormed their way through qualifying for the back-dated EURO 2021 and their young vibrant squad has gained plenty of admirers. Manging to see off fellow world champions Holland by two points and clinching top spot in Group C, Germany have lost just a single matchup across all formats since November 2018 and were previously enjoying a remarkable free-scoring run in the final third last year. Along with putting six past North Ireland in Frankfurt last time out, Thursday’s hosts have now scored 13 goals on their three-match winning run.

Team News

After playing a vital part in Bayern Munich’s Champions League success last month, Germany have decided to hand a rest to the likes of Manuel Neuer and Serge Gnabry.

Making the move to Premier League outfit Chelsea earlier in the summer, Timo Werner will likely lead the line on Thursday night and could have Leroy Sane in support.

Spain

As for the visitors, also drastically struggling to find their best form out in Russia two years ago, Spain almost find themselves in an identical situation to Thursday’s hosts. Appearing to be in the midst of their own youthful revamp with returning boss Luis Enrique electing to head in a new direction, La Roja stormed their way through their European qualifying campaign and really signed off their Group F exploits in some style. Last seen back in November when putting on an expected clinic in a 5-0 romp against Romania on home soil, the one-time Barcelona coach now finds his side on an 11-match unbeaten run across all competitions and their trip to Stuttgart will be a golden chance for Enrique to see where his squad is at. Although Spain might have been disappointed to have only collected back-to-back 1-1 draws against Norway and Sweden on foreign soil, it should be noted that the midweek guests are unbeaten in their last three trips to Germany, leaving with an eye-catching seven points.

Team News

Giving a positive COVID test earlier in the week, Wolves’ Adama Traore will miss out on Thursday night and begin quarantine.

Jordi Alba, Saul Niguez, Alvaro Morata, Isco and Diego Costa have all been left out of the squad.

Key Factors to Consider

• Including a 1-1 draw when the two sides last met back in 2018, Spain are unbeaten in their last three trips to Germany, securing two wins.
• Each of the last four meetings between the two former world champions have seen under 2.5 goals by the final whistle.
• Spain are unbeaten in each of their last 11 matchups across all competitions.
• Germany edge their all-time head-to-head record with Spain, with nine wins to La Roja’s seven. There have also been seven draws between the two nations.
• The Whites have scored at least a pair of goals in each of their last nine appearances on the bounce.

Conclusion

While Spain might hold what is an eye-catching record against Thursday’s hosts and be quietly confident of causing an upset out in Stuttgart, we do fancy a resurging Germany will have too much firepower in midweek. Although they might be without Bayern Munich ace Serge Gnabry, the former world champions have enjoyed quite the free-scoring run since their horror showing at the 2018 World Cup out in Russia. With La Roja showing some issues in their last two appearances on foreign soil and managing to just come away with a pair of 1-1 draws against Norway and Sweden, Joachim Löw’s starlets should be looking to pick up a notable scalp when opening their Nations League campaign on Thursday.

Verdict: Germany win 

Best Odds: 11/8

Bookmaker: Unibet