90min

Germany vs Czech Republic Preview: How to Watch on TV, Live Stream, Kick Off Time & Team News

By James Merrills

Joachim Low will be hope to his side put on a good show before their game in the Nations League.
Joachim Low will be hope to his side put on a good show before their game in the Nations League. / RONNY HARTMANN/Getty Images
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Joachim Low and his Germany team have a chance to put a poor run of results behind them when they host the Czech Republic in Leipzig this week.

Die Mannschaft have won just one of their last five games, but – in a COVID-affected break – can end the year on a high note in the final set of games before international football takes the winter off.

Where to Watch

When Is Kick Off? Wednesday 11 November
What Time Is Kick Off? 19:45 GMT
Where Is It Played? Red Bull Arena Leipzig
TV Channel/Live Stream Sky Sports Football (UK)
Referee? Andris Treimanis (Latvia)

Team News

Bayern Munich's contingent of Germany internationals – think Manuel Neuer, Serge Gnabry, Leon Goretzka and Leroy Sane – aren't in contention to feature against the Czechs, while their clubmate Joshua Kimmich is out for somewhat longer with a torn meniscus.

Timo Werner, Toni Kroos and Matthias Ginter are also due to miss out after playing for their respective clubs in the Champions League last week, leaving Augsburg's Felix Uduokhai in with a chance to make his Germany debut in a much changed first 11. Kai Havertz, meanwhile, tested positive for COVID-19 last week and will be absent in accordance with medical guidelines.

Chelsea man Timo Werner will be rested due to the physical demand of playing Champions League football.
Chelsea man Timo Werner will be rested due to the physical demand of playing Champions League football. / Martin Rose/Getty Images

Czech Republic manager Jaroslav Silhavy has a depleted squad at the moment with Lukas Provod, Michael Rabusic, Jan Boril, Ondrej Kudela and Filip Nguyen all missing out due to COVID-19 issues – while Adam Hlozek, Patrik Schick and Ondrej Celustka miss out with injury. Blimey.

Predicted Lineups

Germany: Leno, Henrichs, Uduokhai, Koch, Gosens, Gundogan, Dahoud, Hofmann, Amiri, Waldschmidt, Neuhaus.

Czech Republic: Vaclik; Coufal, Hubnik, Celustka, Zeleny; Soucek, Dockal; Malinsky, Darida, Vydra; Krmencik.

Recent Form

Germany have been poor on the international stage of late, winning just one of their last five games – and drawing the other four. They currently sit in second place in their Nations League group, behind Spain and only ahead of Ukraine on goal difference.

Low's side haven't struggled finding the back of the net, scoring in all five of those games, they just lack the quality to see them hold on to a lead and see the game out.

Germany's only win in Group A came against Ukraine on October 10.
Germany's only win in Group A came against Ukraine on October 10. / DeFodi Images/Getty Images

The Czechs have won three of their last five games – one friendly triumph and two in the Nations League. On the face of it, that's good. On the other hand, they lost twice to Scotland and those performances mostly came with a less depleted squad. Mostly.

Germany

Germany 3-3 Switzerland (13/10)
Ukraine 1-2 Germany (10/10)
Germany 3-3 Turkey (07/10)
Switzerland 1-1 Germany (06/09)
Germany 1-1 Spain (03/09)

Czech Republic

Scotland 1-0 Czech Republic (14/10)
Israel 1-2 Czech Republic (11/10)
Cyprus 1-2 Czech Republic (07/10)
Czech Republic 1-2 Scotland (07/09)
Slovakia 1-3 Czech Republic (04/09)

Prediction

Leno could start in goal with Neuer being rested.
Leno could start in goal with Neuer being rested. / Matthias Hangst/Getty Images

With both sides lacking experience and fitness this game is a hard one to call, but Germany's strength in depth in considerably better than the Czechs', and they're at home. They'll probably be fine.

Prediction: Germany 2-1 Czech Republic