The Old Rivalry

Tom Allen predicted there would be goals in this one and he was right as a late John Terry header secured the injury-hit England a famous 2-1 win against Germany

It’s an overused cliché but matches between Germany and England are always competitive and despite a lack of stars on show in Berlin on Wednesday it should still make for interesting viewing.

Both managers, Joachim Low and Fabio Capello, have had to deal with a raft of withdrawals this week, the latest being Theo Walcott from the England squad late on Tuesday with a dislocated shoulder, and have far from their first choice group of players available. Notable absentees include Michael Ballack and Philip Lahm for the hosts while Capello must do without Ferdinand, Lampard, Gerrard, Rooney, and the aforementioned Walcott.

England have started their qualifying campaign for a place at South Africa 2010 in terrific style, as they have virtually secured their place in the finals already thanks to four wins in as many matches, but the bespectacled Italian is sure to have been disappointed with the number of absentees tonight. His starting eleven on Wednesday night is likely to include only John Terry from what would be deemed, by most, as England’s best side.

Darren Bent is likely to be given a chance to impress in the white shirt following his goal scoring run for Spurs and while I believe England still have enough quality in midfield to provide him with chances to threaten it remains to be seen just how much possession they will see. Gareth Barry and Michael Carrick, a more than able duo, are likely to partner one another in the centre and while their qualities are undoubted they have very little experience of playing together and also both occupy similar roles.

While England should still be able to create chances it is the defence that causes most concern and I find it very difficult to imagine them keeping a clean sheet. Mathew Upson and Joleon Lescott have failed to impress in recent World Cup qualifiers and whichever of the pair is chosen to partner Terry, (Wayne Bridge and Glen Johnson should get the nod in the full back positions) I don’t see them keeping the likely German attacking pair of Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski quiet for 90 minutes.

Where England will take comfort is in Germany’s own defensive frailties. They were awful at times in Euro 2008 and often struggle against the better sides, and everything seems to point to there being goals. The German’s lack pace at the back and Gabriel Agbonlahor will relish taking on the likes of Per Mertesacker, so the best bet looks to be on there being three or more goals.

Internationals of this nature are notoriously cagey but Wednesday’s should be different with neither side having anything to lose and the pair have combined for 26 goals in their four respective qualifiers to date this season.