{"id":1236,"date":"2016-10-08T02:00:03","date_gmt":"2016-10-08T06:00:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonfootball.com\/?p=1236"},"modified":"2016-10-07T21:29:52","modified_gmt":"2016-10-08T01:29:52","slug":"germany-vs-czech-republic-world-cup-qualifier-preview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2016\/10\/08\/germany-vs-czech-republic-world-cup-qualifier-preview\/","title":{"rendered":"Germany vs Czech Republic: World Cup Qualifier Preview"},"content":{"rendered":"

Defending world champions Germany<\/strong> play host to the Czech Republic<\/strong> at Hamburg’s Imtech Arena<\/strong> in Saturday night’s Group C World Cup Qualifier<\/strong>, where the Germans are\u00a0in control atop the group\u00a0after winning their first match. The Czech Republic lie third in the group after earning\u00a0a draw\u00a0in theirs, a\u00a0scoreless draw with Northern Ireland<\/strong> at home.<\/p>\n

Current Form<\/h3>\n

Germany are currently in a good run of form after losing only one in their last six matches – that\u00a0defeat, however, coming in a 2-0 loss to France<\/strong> in last summer’s European Championship<\/strong>, where they were knocked out in the semi-finals. But Die Mannschaft will be looking to continue their good start in this campaign after winning their opening match away to Norway<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The Czech Republic, in contrast, are currently experiencing a bad run of results. They’ve\u00a0lost three out of their last six matches, including two losses against Spain<\/strong> and Turkey<\/strong>, leading to them crashing out of Euro 2016<\/strong> at the group stage. Their only recent win came from\u00a0a friendly against Armenia<\/strong> at home, where they ran out 3-0 winners.<\/p>\n

Statistics<\/h3>\n

Germany have only lost twice in their last ten competitive fixtures, but currently boast an unbeaten streak of 13 games in World Cup qualifying and finals matches combined.<\/p>\n

The Czech Republic, conversely, have only won three of their last ten competitive fixtures – the last victory coming against the Netherlands<\/strong> during a Euro 2016 qualifier in which they secured a 3-2 victory.<\/p>\n

The previous winner between these two sides: the Czech Republic – winning 3-0 away in Germany during a Euro 2008<\/strong> qualifier.<\/p>\n

The Germans, however, currently lead\u00a0the head-to-head record between these two sides, with Die Mannschaft coming out as winners on four\u00a0out of the six occasions these teams have met. The Narodak have won the other two meetings.<\/p>\n

Final Thoughts<\/h3>\n

If history is anything to go on, there will certainly be a winner in this fixture, with the two sides never having drawn once in their previous six fixtures against each other.<\/p>\n

The Czech Republic will be looking to build on their previous draw with Northern Ireland in a bid to ensure that they are in good stead for a place at the 2018 World Cup in Russia<\/strong>, having previously failed to make the grade for Brazil<\/strong> two years ago.<\/p>\n

On the other side, Germany will be looking upon their opener against Norway fondly as they look to set up camp at the top of the Group C table to afford themselves the opportunity to defend the trophy they won at\u00a0the last World Cup in 2014.<\/p>\n

Main Photo<\/p>\n

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Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n