Euro 2020

[monks data]

Euro Champ Qualifying | Group Stage

Nov 16, 2019 at 7.45pm UK

Germany
4-0
Belarus

Ginter (41'), Goretzka (49'), Kroos (55', 83')

FT(HT: 1-0)

Preview: Germany vs. Belarus - prediction, team news, lineups

By Sean Wilson

Published: November 14 2019 | 17:46

Last updated: November 15 2019 | 19:00

Sports Mole previews the Euro 2020 qualifying clash between Germany and Belarus, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Germany will be hoping to have qualified for the finals of Euro 2020 by full-time on Saturday, which they can achieve if they beat Belarus and Northern Ireland fail to triumph over the Netherlands elsewhere in Group C.

Joachim Low's side will certainly expect to claim three points at home against Belarus, who have just four points from their six qualifying games, winning only once.

Match preview

Nico Schulz celebrates his winner for Germany on March 24, 2019 © Reuters

Germany are level on points with the Netherlands at the top of Group C but remain second due to their inferior head-to-head record against the Oranje, meaning that they will need Ronald Koeman's side to slip up if they are to claim top spot.

However, securing qualification is firmly within their grasp, and in the unlikely event that a win over Belarus proves insufficient - or indeed if they stumble and drop unexpected points - victory over nearest challenges Northern Ireland in their final game would still secure their place at the finals of next summer's showpiece event.

Dropping points against Belarus and Northern Ireland seems unlikely given Germany's sparkling record in qualifying so far. They have lost just one game - against the Netherlands by a 4-2 scoreline - and have not conceded to any team other than the Oranje.

Germany have also scored at least two goals in every qualifying encounter thus far and rattled eight past Estonia at home without reply in June.

The previous encounter between these two in Belarus resulted in a 2-0 win for Low's men, with Leroy Sane and Marco Reus scoring in each half as Germany strolled to victory.

Belarus have struggled in Euro 2020 qualifying, losing each of their first four games and scoring just once in that run.

The minnows grabbed their sole win in Estonia by a 2-1 scoreline and drew 0-0 with them at home immediately afterwards to pick up the only four points they have managed in the group.

However, while four losses, 12 goals conceded and just four goals scored in six games does not make for an inspiring record, Belarus still have a chance to qualify for the finals as their Nations League performance guarantees them a playoff spot.

Germany form: WWWLWW
Belarus form: LLLWDL

Team News

Germany head coach Low has a lengthy injury list to contend with and is unable to call on at least 10 players, five of whom started in the win over Estonia last time out.

Reus, Kai Havertz, Niklas Sule and Marco Halstenberg will all have to be replaced from the team that started the last game due to injury, while Emre Can is suspended after his sending-off.

Sane, Julian Draxler, Antonio Rudiger, Thilo Kehrer and Kevin Trapp are also sidelined with fitness problems, while Niklas Stark is a doubt.

For Belarus, the list is much shorter, with just three men missing with injuries.

Pavel Savitski, Ivan Bakhar and Sergei Politevich are the trio that are sidelined.

Germany possible starting lineup:
Neuer; Klostermann, Tah, Ginter, Schulz; Kimmich, Gundogan, Kroos; Brandt, Werner, Gnabry

Belarus possible starting lineup:
Gutor; Polyakov, Martynovich, Naumov, Zolotov; Maevski, Yablonski; Nekhaychik, Dragun, Stasevich; Laptev

We say: Germany 3-0 Belarus

Germany have yet to concede against any team other than the Netherlands and, despite the much-changed nature of their defence, they could be set to extend that run and romp to another comfortable home victory.