Rosicky out to gun down Germany

Internationals / Editor / 16 October 2007 / Leave a Comment

Germany are the first team to have qualified but the Czech Republic want to join them

Germany v Czech Republic - Euro qualifier Group D, kick-off 7:45pm

Germany have already sealed their place in next year's finals but they will want to maintain top spot in Group D, as they come up against their nearest challengers in Munich.

The three-time European champions are unbeaten in their Euro 2008 qualifying group, one of only three teams, but face one of their toughest tests on Wednesday in the shape of in-form Czech Republic.

Germany have won seven and drawn two (0-0 against the Republic of Ireland on Saturday) in their nine qualifying games so far. Joachim Low's side are understandably strong 2.02 favourites to claim another win in midweek and are odds-on (1.07) to finish at the head of the group but their opponents will thoroughly test their credentials.

A win for Czech Republic will make certain of their place in Austria and Switzerland, as Karel Bruckner's men are currently five points ahead of third place Republic of Ireland and with a game in hand.

They have won three and drawn one of their last four qualifiers and can be backed at 4.7 to win this clash in a repeat of the Euro 96 final, which Germany won in Golden Goal extra-time.

Germany, favourites at 6 to lift the trophy next summer, look to be strong in all departments and have lost just once in their last 16 games, a 0-1 friendly home defeat to Denmark in March. Their 31 goals scored is more goals than any other team in qualifying, while they have conceded just four goals in their nine games - the same number as Czech Republic.

Germany ran out 2-1 winners in the reverse fixture in Prague in March, with Kevin Kuranyi scoring both of their goals and he will be popular in the To Score market. A repeat scoreline for Low's side can be backed at 10, while a 2-1 away win for the Czechs is on offer at 17.

A 1-1 stalemate is the favourite at 7 in the 'Correct Score' market, while the outright draw can be backed at 3.25. Seven goals in their last five games suggests the visitors could struggle to break down the Germans, with 'Under 2.5 Goals' available at 1.87.

Germany, who have been beaten just 13 times in 106 European Championship games, have scored first-half goals in eight of their last nine matches and the 2.6 on offer for the home side to be leading again at the break will be considered value by some.

The World Cup semi-finalists will be without Arsenal keeper Jens Lehmann after he picked up a suspension with a yellow card in Dublin, with Valencia shot-stopper Timo Hildebrand set to start between the posts.

Meanwhile, the visitors also have suspension problems with left-back Marek Jankulovski, midfielder Jan Polak and striker Milan Baros banned. The Czechs are hopeful though that Arsenal's Tomas Rosicky will be fit following a thigh injury, while Jan Koller is available again after missing the 1-0 win over Republic Ireland last month.