DIE MANNSCHAFT begin their quest for a fifth star above their badge on Wednesday as Germany start their World Cup campaign against Japan.
Hansi Flick has at his disposal plenty of talent and he also sprung a few wild cards into an exciting squad, for example when he included the likes of Borussia Dortmund superkid Youssoufa Moukoko and recalled Mario Gotze, while ignoring Mats Hummels.
It's a squad that is very much Flick's and there is plenty of excitement that this German team are going to be easy on the eye and full of attacking intent.
Their Nations League campaign however, has dampened the hype and enthusiasm that usually follows a German World Cup campaign and they are actually on a run that has seen them win just twice in their last eight games…and one of those wins was against Oman in their final warm-up friendly.
They face a Japanese team whose manager Hajime Moriyasu received plenty of flack from Celtic fans for omitting Kyoko Furuhashi and Reo Hatate, who has probably been the best player in Scotland so far this season.
He's huge on defensive organisation and his strikers will be asked to defend from the front. Like Germany, they haven't exactly been flying in the build-up either having drawn with China and lost to Canada.
How the bookies view it
Germany are odd-on favourites here unsurprisingly with Highbet making them 43/100. Japan can be backed at 107/20 and the draw is 69/20.
Recent head to heads
The nations have only ever played in two friendlies in 2004 and 2006 and Germany won one and drew the other, for what it's worth.
Players to watch
Kai Havertz has certainly for a goal threat in him as England discovered when the former Chelsea flop scored twice at Wembley in the 3-3 Nations League draw. He is 183/100 to score anytime.
Celtic striker Daizen Maeda will be asked to out in a shift today and his perpetual movement up front could irritate the Germans. The Hoops forward is 77/20 to score in Qatar on Wednesday.
Anything else catch the eye?
Although the opening games are of course usually cagey, Germany will want to come out here and make a statement and their attacking threat can overcome a Japanese side who already appear to have decided to play a limitation game.
They can win this by a couple of goals and the 121/100 for Germany -1 on the handicaps looks a solid enough shout.
Flick will want his team to go right at it from the beginning and they can take the lead before the interval. That makes the half time and full time Germany bet at 101/100 appealing too.
Germany are a team who don't win many corners – they have failed to win over six in their last seven competitive games. Japan managed seven against Brazil when they played them this year.
Therefore it could be worth backing Japan with a +2.5 advantage on the corners match bet at 63/50.
This World Cup match between Germany and Japan will be played on Nov 23, 2022 and kick off at 13:00. Check below for our tipsters best Germany vs Japan prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
