Group G preview: Germany v Ghana

Germany repeated their feat from four years ago by opening the World Cup with a 4-0 victory and are hoping there will not be a repeat of their second game in South Africa when they lost to Serbia.

Germany are likely to stick to the same formation without a true striker, which worked so well against Portugal when Thomas Mueller scored a hat-trick.

A big downside from the opening win was an injury picked up by central defender Mats Hummels. Hummels did not practice with the team and a decision on his fitness won’t be made until shortly before the match.

Ghana lost their opening match 2-1 to the United States and can’t afford another loss, while Germany would all but clinch a spot in the knockout rounds with another win.

The rematch also brings together again the Boateng half-brothers, Jerome and Kevin-Prince.

Ghana team officials have denied reports of a ‘player revolt’ against coach Kwesi Appiah following the loss to the United States.

Essien was back in training after picking up a toe injury in the World Cup loss to the United States.

 

Venue: Estádio Castelão, Fortaleza

Kick-off: June 21, 1900GMT

Key stats: Germany’s only defeat against an African side at the World Cup was against Algeria on 16 June 1982 (1-2), winning four and drawing one.

Ghana have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last five World Cup games. They have conceded just six goals in the process, however.

Germany have only lost one of their last 19 games in the group stages of the World Cup, it was against Serbia on 18 June 2010 (0-1), winning 14 and drawing four.