England vs Germany - Team News, Match Preview & Likely Line-Ups

Date: Tuesday, November 19 Venue: Wembley Stadium Kick-Off: 20:00 England manager Roy Hodgson has already named his starting XI to face Germany in tonight's prestige friendly at Wembley, and Joe Hart is back in goal.

Team News

England manager Roy Hodgson has restored Joe Hart in goal to face Germany tonight, with the under fire No.1 having not played for club or country since October 27. Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge returns up front, after missing Friday's 2-0 defeat to Chile with a foot injury. Meanwhile, Southampton's Adam Lallana will start for the second consecutive time after making his debut in that game. Germany boss Joachim Low is expected to field an experimental side ahead of the visit to Wembley. Borussia Dortmund's Roman Weidenfeller is set to replace Manuel Neuer in goal, while club teammate Marcel Schmelzer is tipped to fill in for Marcel Jansen at left-back. Arsenal's Mesut Ozil and fullback Philip Lahm will be rested. (BBC)

Key Stats

Since 2001, these two sides have met four times; each have two wins. England's most memorable victory over Germany was the 5-1 away win on September 1, 2001. However, the last time the Three Lions faced the Germans, they were knocked out of the World Cup last 16 4-1. Steven Gerrard will make his 108th international appearance, equalling the amount made by 1966 World Cup-winning captain Bobby Moore.

Likely Line-Ups

England (confirmed) Hart, Walker, Smalling, Jagielka, Cole, Gerrard, Cleverley, Townsend, Rooney, Lallana, Sturridge Germany (probable) Weidenfeller, Westermann, Mertesacker, Hummels, Schmelzer, Bender, Kroos, Reus, Gotze, Draxler, Kruse

Match Preview

England will be looking to avenge the 4-1 defeat they suffered at the hands of Germany the last time these two sides met. June 27, 2010 will be remembered for all the wrong reasons where the Three Lions are concerned. In their World Cup last 16 clash with the Germans, a Fabio Capello-led side went down 4-1 and Frank Lampard had a goal incorrectly denied thanks to a contentious goal-line incident. Tonight then is a chance to settle an old score and move on from the disappointing 2-0 defeat at the hands of Chile last Friday. England have never lost two games in a row under Roy Hodgson's management, but that record is under threat when one of the early World Cup favourites visit Wembley tonight. Germany will be without several key personnel, including Arsenal's Mesut Ozil, but should still pose one of England's sternest of tests ahead of next summer's tournament in Brazil. The whole country will be watching to see how the Three Lions stack up against serious opposition, with 80,000 expected in attendance, and this encounter could be seen as a barometer for success in 2014.
Contributor
Contributor

Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.