Next up is a top-of-the-table clash in Group J between 2nd placed Germany and surprise package, Armenia, who sit one point above Germany in top spot prior to this important showdown at the Mercedes-Benz-Arena.
Germany have produced a better showing of form in these World Cup qualifiers as the hosts have won three of their four matches in the group to date, beating Iceland 3-0, Romania 1-0 and Liechtenstien 2-0 but they did suffer the humiliation of being beaten 2-1 on home soil by North Macedonia as well.
Back at it 💪#DieMannschaft pic.twitter.com/nDCEmKjxwA— Germany (@DFB_Team_EN) September 3, 2021
Back at it 💪#DieMannschaft pic.twitter.com/nDCEmKjxwA
Although Joachim Low’s side are firmly in the race for qualification to the next World Cup, this is not the Germany of old as previous generations would have seen more of a landslide victory over Liechtenstein for example and would never have lost to North Macedonia, let alone at home.
Overall form in general has been inconsistent and therefore gives Armenia a decent chance of at the very least, of avoiding a heavy defeat here.
Onto Armenia and the visitors deservedly sit top of Group J as they still remain unbeaten after their opening four games in the group which has yielded wins against Liechtenstein, Iceland and Romania in 1-0, 2-0 and 3-2 wins respectively, along with a point in a 0-0 draw away from home at North Macedonia.
Unquestionably, Armenia’s biggest test in these qualifiers will be this upcoming clash in Stuttgart against Germany but they’ll have been boosted by the fact that North Macedonia walked away with all three points and they will believe they can give Germany a run for their money here.
Overall results in recent times have also been encouraging for Armenia as the visitors have suffered just the one defeat out of their last 11 matches in all competitions which came in the form of a 3-1 loss away at Sweden in a friendly, but this promising sequence of results also includes six wins and four draws, most notably, a 1-1 draw away at Croatia.
Armenia have also made themselves tough to beat away from home too as the visitors have lost just one of their last six away games in all competitions.
Germany are expected to win this clash but the margin of victory may well be closer than many anticipate with Armenia keeping pace with the hosts.