World Cup 2018: Germany vs Mexico predicted line-ups and preview – Joachim Low knows the history of defending champions
Mexico's Hirving 'Chucky' Lozano will be one to watch for Die Mannschaft on Sunday
GERMANY know that France, Italy and then Spain made poor starts to the three most recent World Cup defences and went out in the group stage and will be desperate not to fall victim to the same curse.
Joachim Low has the bulk of his Germany squad still available and even his shadow side was far too powerful for the Mexicans with a 4-1 victory in the Confederations Cup semis last summer.
Mexico have been top dogs in North and Central America for a long time and in Javier “Chicarito” Hernandez they have a proven top-tier strike threat.
THE NATION EXPECTS: It’s Germany, Die Mannschaft. So everybody KNOWS they will make the semi-finals at worst. It’s what they do.
Low has come under a bit of fire, though, with the flukey win over Saudi Arabia last weekend their first since qualifying, while his decision to omit Leroy Sane from his squad left many fans outraged.
Mexico have gone out at the last 16 stage in six successive World Cups and will be targeting the upcoming games with Sweden and Korea as their most likely sources of points.
KEY BATTLES: Thomas Muller has already scored 10 goals across two World Cups and is targeting six more in Russia to join former strike partner Miroslav Klose at the top of the all-time list. Mexico have to keep him quiet.
Hirving “Chucky” Lozano is Mexico’s bright new hope and his contest down the German right against Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich is likely to be a decisive element in the match.
WEAKEST LINKS: Hard to see where Germany have any, although left-back Jonas Hector was part of a relegated Cologne side this season.
For Mexico, the lack of goals is a growing concern for coach Juan Carlos Osorio with none of his strikers showing any form in the pre-tournament friendlies.
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LIKELY LINE UPS AND TEAM TALK: For Low it is a simple task - tell his players to play like the World Cup winners they are.
The biggest pressure is probably on Klose’s replacement as the line leader, Timo Werner of RB Leipzig.
But if he falls short, Muller can always move centrally.
Probable team: Manuel Neuer; Joshua Kimmich, Jerome Boateng, Mats Hummels, Jonas Hector; Toni Kroos, Sami Khedira; Thomas Muller, Mesut Ozil, Marco Reus; Timo Werner
Osorio has been on the receiving end of ceaseless stick from the passionate Mexican fans who question his tactics and selection.
The struggles in front of goal in recent weeks have added to that while Mexico were destroyed on the counter by Germany in Sochi 12 months ago.
Probable team: Guillermo Ochoa; Carlos Salcedo, Hugo Ayala, Hector Moreno, Miguel Layun; Giovani Dos Santos, Hector Herrera, Andres Guardado; Carlos Vela, Javier Hernandez, Hirving Lozano
BEST BET: How about a cheeky double - Thomas Muller to score the first goal and Germany to win by three or more.
PREM TSAR IN THE MAKING: Flying winger Chucky looks like he will be headed to England after a stunning season for PSV Eindhoven. The right-footer loves to cut in off the left flank.
THE STAT THAT MATTERS: Germany have won their opening match at every World Cup tournament since 1990. Back them to make that eight out of eight.
