Czech Republic Face Tough Task to Qualify
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When the draw as made for UEFA World Cup qualifying Group C, Germany were always going to be the favourites to qualify as group winners.
This left Czech Republic to battle with Northern Ireland for second place, which could seal a place in the playoffs.
Germany have a fantastic World Cup record and If they secure qualifying, will be in Russia to defend the title they won four years ago in Brazil. In the past four World Cup finals, dating back to 2002, Germany have finished as winners, runners-up and in third place twice.
Czech Republic on the other hand have qualified for just one World Cup finals, which was in Germany 2006. They were eliminated from the tournament at the group stage having won one of their three matches.
However, if you offered Czech Republic the chance to go out at the group stages of the 2018 World Cup, they would probably bite your hand off right now as qualification is an uphill task.
Czech Republic start this home match with Germany in third place in the group having gained 9 points from their six games. Trends show they have been difficult to beat having lost only one of those six games but have also found wins hard to come by, winning just one match in the group.
The victory came at home against Norway and was a 2-1 win whereas the defeat was a 3-0 loss at Germany.
Czech Republic have found goal scoring to be problematic in recent World Cup qualifying home games. In their previous seven home World Cup matches, Czech Republic have failed to score five times.
Germany make the short trip to Prague in total command of the group and know that even a point would be enough to see them remain top of the group. However, Joachim Low will be going for maximum points in an attempt to secure qualification as soon as possible.
The Germans have been unrelenting in their pursuit of qualification and have won all six of their matches in Group C. Trends show they have scored 27 goals at an average of 4.5 goals per game and have conceded just once. The only goal they have conceded came in the 4-1 win in Azerbaijan.
Germany are undefeated in their last twenty-nine World Cup qualifying games and their last defeat was the embarrassing 5-1 home loss to England in 2001. They have won their last twelve World Cup qualifying games and the last eleven away from home.
Czech Republic have several players on 2 goals each but will need the experienced midfielder Vladimir Darida and defender Theodor Gebre Selassie on form if they are to take something from this match.
Germany have recalled Mats Hummels, Thomas Muller, Mario Gomez, Sami Khedira, Toni Kroos and Mesut Ozil to the squad having missed out on the Confederations Cup. Manuel Neuer is not fit enough to take part in the game and has been left out.
Even without Manuel Neuer in goal, everything points to a Germany win in this game. Czech Republic cannot afford to sit back because they need to keep pace with Northern Ireland, who have the simple task of San Marino.
This will play into Germany’s hands who have the talent to take any chances which fall their way. Germany should win this game and do so by at least a 2-goal margin.
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