England – Germany

England to finally break their barren run against a Germany side

England take on Germany at home on Monday 26 September. The match has no tournament significance. The Three Lions have been relegated to the second division of the Nations League, although they were favorites to win the group. The Germans have no claim to promotion. The team will not rise above second place. England are the biggest disappointment of the group stage. Even if they discount the fact that the competition is not very prestigious, a five-match unbeaten streak is a huge letdown for head coach Gareth Southgate. Even more appalling is that arguably the best attacking generation in the national team's history has stopped scoring altogether. In five group stage matches, there have been no goals from play. The only other team to score was San Marino. The only goal of the English national team was scored from a penalty against Germany. In the last match the team of "Three Lions" lost to Italy. The meeting turned out relatively even. Southgate had almost all the best players at his disposal. A six-game unbeaten run will raise serious questions about the coach's future ahead of the World Cup. Resignation is not too likely, but possible. The team looks depressed, with such emotions it will be difficult to go to the main tournament of the four years. Plus the public has a total dissatisfaction with the English style of play. The team has great performers who perform at the highest level in the EPL but cannot do anything for the national team. The situation for the Germans is calmer. The first half against Hungary was a failure, but it was more about a lack of motivation. Germany's head coach Hans-Dieter Fliek remarked after the match that it was better to lose now than at the World Cup. The visitors' willingness to use an experimental line-up could be an important factor. Against Hungary, Flick has fielded mostly leaders. There is little point in loading them up during a busy season. In other words, England might play their starting line-up, with Germany fielding their reserves. In this case, the hosts' chances of winning the game go up. The match is not of tournament importance, but morally more important for England and personally for Gareth Southgate. It's definitely time for the coach to take a risk, otherwise, cautious football could lead to his resignation two months before the start of the main tournament. It is logical to assume that England will not finish the Nations League unbeaten after all. Bookmakers are giving slightly inflated odds on the hosts. The squad situation could change the odds shortly before the game.