World Cup Forensics: Germany vs Sweden

Germany take on Sweden at the Fisht Stadium in Sochi in the last game of day 10 action, as the Germans try to bounce back from a disastrous 1-0 loss against Mexico in their first group stage game.

Sweden will be looking to capitalise on their 1-0 win against South Korea, and if they can pull off another result here (even if it's a draw) they'll set themselves up for a cracking final group stage game with Mexico in the third round of the group stage.

Sweden are currently a 54 percent chance of qualifying for the next round, whilst Germany are not far behind on 53 percent.

Though they were defeated by Mexico, the Germans created plenty of chances and were hardly outplayed, they were just not clinical with the chances they created. They'll need to be clinical against Sweden, who are defensively solid and can make themselves very compact.

With Mexico playing earlier than Germany and Sweden when they take on South Korea, they can turn up the heat on both sides if they can take advantage and get the win against the Taeguk Warriors.

The pressure will be on Germany here, and that could play into the Swedes hands. That should open the game right up for them, and allow their attackers more space and freedom as the Germans go searching for goals.

Don't expect massive changes for the Germans, with Joachim Low not likely to overhaul the squad. Nicklas Sule will come in for the injured Mats Hummels, but apart from that the same German outfit is likely to be selected.

Victor Lindelof is likely to return from illness, and he'll be needed against Germany's many creative attacking weapons. Without him the Swedes are less able to build from the back and they lose plenty of pace from their central defence.

Germany are winning 68 percent of Stats Insider Models 10000 simulations, with Sweden winning 12 percent. The two sides draw 21 percent of the time.

Germany's loss to Mexico was only the second time they'd lost their opener at a World Cup, also losing against Algeria in 1982. However, they reached the final of the competition that year.

Sweden's penalty goal versus South Korea was the first they'd scored in 402 minutes of international football since Ola Toivonen scored against Chile back in March. Germany will make life tough for them defensively and are one of the best defences in International Football.

This has all the makings of an open, entertaining contest. Can Sweden seal their place in the next round or will Germany come to life?

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