England vs Germany in the World Cup group stage - preview and prediction

[BankHolidayBlues87]

England face Germany in Group E on Sunday June 22. Both teams are expected to beat Slovakia and Croatia respectively in their openers, meaning this match could define who tops the group and avoids a potentially tougher route through the knockout stages. England have not beaten Germany in a competitive match outside a penalty shootout since 1966. Germany under Nagelsmann are a more dynamic, pressing side than the teams England have historically found easier to face.

Key battles: Bellingham vs the German midfield, Kane vs the centre-back pairing, the full-back contest on both sides. The match is being played in Philadelphia which should be a massive occasion. Both sets of fans will travel in huge numbers given the USA location

[Merchant89]

The psychological weight of this fixture genuinely matters. There is something that happens to England players when they face Germany in a major tournament that does not happen against other opponents. Tuchel being German makes this even more interesting from a psychological standpoint

[MondayMoan51]

Germany's pressing system is the tactical problem England have to solve. They do not give you time on the ball and they do not give you space in behind. England will need to be more direct and clinical than they have been in recent tournaments

[Canopy]

Kane vs the German centre-backs is the match within the match. His movement and ability to hold up play with his back to goal could be the key to unlocking space for Bellingham and Saka to run into