Germany
Germany recorded the biggest win of the opening matchday when they dismantled Curacao 7-1 in their Group E opener on Sunday in Houston.
Felix Nmecha opened the scoring in the 6th minute and it appeared that the floodgates would open early but it never played out like that with Curacao getting a surprise leveller on 20 minutes.
That is where the fairytale ended for Curacao as Germany added a further six goals through Kai Havertz (2), Nico Schlotterbeck, Jamal Musiala, Nathaniel Brown & Deniz Undav
Die Mannschaft will enter this fixture with Ivory Coast on the back of a ten match winning run in all competitions going back to September 2025, ominously they have scored two or more goals in nine of those wins.
Currently ranked 9th in the FIFA World Rankings there is issues however defensively, they have conceded in four of the last five and have not kept a World Cup clean sheet since the 1-0 win in the 2014 final vs Argentina.
Injuries & Team News
Deniz Undav will be pushing for a starting spot having come of the bench and scored vs Curacao as well as laying on two assists, he has contributed to 11 goals in just 10 Appearances (7 Goals).
If he is to gain a starting spot it could be Leroy Sane most at risk of losing his place.
No other changes are expected for Germany although it must be a worry for Julian Nagelsmann the nervousness that Manuel Neuer is providing for his defence, he looks a shadow of the great goalkeeper he once was.
Form
| Last Match | Last 6 Matches |
|---|---|
| 7-1 vs Curacao | W W W W W W |
Predicted Line-Up
Germany (4-2-3-1):
Neuer; Kimmich, Tah, Schlotterbeck, Brown; Pavlovic, Nmecha; Sane, Musiala, Wirtz; Havertz
Ivory Coast
They left it late in the opener but The Elephants claimed a vital 1-0 win over Ecaudor in the opening game thanks to a 90th minute winner from Man Utd’s Amad Diallo.
No doubt they rode their luck against Ecuador who hit the woodwork on three occasions but they hung in there and managed to defeat the South Americans who had been unbeaten in 19 games, a run that lasted over two years.
That victory has put them in a prime position to qualify for the knock-out rounds, a real contrast to 2018 & 2022 when they were watching all the action back home having failed to qualify.
Emerse Fae’s side were one of two African sides to win their opening fixture along with Ghana (1-0 vs Panama) and they are currently on a five match winning streak in all competitions, this includes a 2-1 win over France.
Ranked 30th in the world by FIFA, the Elephants have only won one of their previous four World Cup encounters against European opposition (D1 L2), while Germany have been beaten just once by an African nation on the global stage (W5 D2).
Injuries & Team News
Elye Wahi was denied entry into Canada ahead of the game with Germany due to a “spot fixing” allegation in France where he plays his football, however his appeal has now been heard and has been granted access and is available to face Germany
However it’s unlikely the on-loan Nice man will get a place in the starting team with others performing so well against Ecuador. Ange-Yoan Bonny, Oumar Diakite and Evann Guessand all pushing for a start in attack alongside Hoffenheim’s Bazoumana Toure.
Amad Diallo will consider himself unlucky to be left out of the side vs Ecuador and having scored the winner he could start with Villarreal’s Nicolas Pepe the man likely to make way if they make the change.
Defensively AS Roma man Evan Ndicka missed the Opener but he has been a key player in qualifying for Emerse Fae and if he is fit he could be recalled, should he fail to make it former Wolves centre-back Emmanuel Agbadou will partner Wilfried Singo.
Form
| Last Match | Last 6 Matches |
|---|---|
| 1-0 vs Ecuador | W W W W L W |
Predicted Line-Up
Ivory Coast (4-4-2):
Y. Fofana; Doue, Singo, Ndicka, Konan; Pepe, Kessie, S. Fofana, Y. Diomande; Wahi, Bonny
Betting Odds
| Team | Odds | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Germany Win | 8/15 (1.53) | Grand Ivy |
| Draw | 3/1 (4.00) | Dream Vegas |
| Ivory Coast Win | 11/2 (6.50) | 247Bet |
Prediction
Germany 2-1 Ivory Coast
Two teams on the back of opening day wins will be full of confidence and i think this will be entertaining but just fancy Germany to get the job done.