Joachim Low will certainly be feeling the pressure as he makes the trip through to Georgia this weekend with every intention of picking up all three points against one of Group D.
Germany have made tough work of rather straightforward opposition since picking up their World Cup trophy last July, with a defeat to Poland and a draw with Ireland leaving them three points off the top spot in the qualification group.
Add to that a rather surprising draw with Australia earlier in the week, which saw the Germany champions come within 10 minutes of their second defeat since Brazil.
Low is far from comfortable for a manager who has just won the greatest prize available in world football, but a win over Georgia could go some way to calming his and his nation's nerves.
Date: Sunday, March 29
Time: 5:00pm GMT, 12:00 EST
Venue: Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena, Tbilisi, Georgia
Television: ITV4(UK only)/ Fox Sport(US only)
Streaming: ITV players(UK only)/ Fox Sports online (U.S. only)
Form
| Georgia | Germany |
| Malta - win | Australia - draw |
| Poland - defeat | Spain - win |
| Gibraltar - win | Gibraltar - win |
| Scotland - defeat | Ireland - draw |
| Ireland - defeat | Poland - defeat |
Predicted Lineups
Low is likely to return to his standard 4-2-3-1 formation, with bothHolger Badstuber and Karim Bellarabi making up the only recent additions to the injury list.
This should mean we'll see Manuel Neuer return in goals in front of a back line consisting of Sebastian Rudy at right-back, ShkodranMustafi at left-back and a central defence pairing of Mats Hummelsand Jerome Boateng.
The midfield pairing of Toni Kroos and Bastian Schweinsteiger will undoubtedly make up a rather predictable central midfield with MesutOzil, Marco Reus and Mario Gotze playing in front as the attacking three.
Low will have a few options to choose from for the solitary striking position, yet it would seem as though Thomas Muller will almost certainly take up the role on Sunday.
Michael Probst/Associated Press
Key players
Marco Reus
Although Germany have just won the World Cup and do have a squad full of world class players, the one player in this attacking team who consistently looks dangerous on the ball is Reus.
Gotze is far too inconsistent and Ozil is often too quiet in such games, meaning the Dortmund forward—as we saw against Australia recently—may be forced to take the initiative and truly drag this side to victory Sunday.
Jaba Kankava
For Georgia, all eyes will be on defensive midfielder Jaba Kankava, who will be doing his utmost to ensure neither Kroos nor Schweinstegerhave a pleasant time of things Sunday.
The defensive midfielder has looked good throughout Georgia's numerous defensive performances in this qualifying campaign and is certainly one of the country's few quality players.
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