Preview: Estonia vs. Germany - prediction, team news, lineups

Germany make the trip to Tallinn to face Estonia knowing that three wins in a row will be enough to guarantee their place at Euro 2020.

Estonia are already out of the running in Group C, having picked up just one point from their six fixtures.

Match preview

© Reuters

While Germany are still far from the finished article as they continue through their transitional period, Joachim Low will be relatively satisfied with the position that his side find themselves in with three games remaining.

A day after letting slip a two-goal lead to draw with Argentina, Northern Ireland succumbed to a 3-1 defeat to the Netherlands, effectively putting Germany in control of sealing a top-two spot.

Low will still have ambitions to finish in top spot in Group C, although the next couple of fixtures are opportunities to hand chances to the majority of his squad at a time when he will already be contemplating his 23-man group for next summer.

Wednesday's fixture with Argentina would have let Low in no doubt that improvements still need to be made in order to compete with Europe's best, but the way in which they came out of the blocks against quality opponents will give him optimism going forward.

As for Estonia, it is simply a case of damage limitation as they look to end what has been a dismal campaign on some kind of a positive note.

There would have been an acknowledgement that they needed points on the board after the opening double-header with Northern Ireland, and the back-to-back defeats effectively ensured that they would not be in contention for qualification.

On a positive note, Karel Voolaid's side ended their run of defeats with a morale-boosting goalless draw in Belarus on Thursday, having previously conceded 18 goals from their first five matches.

Nevertheless, the 8-0 thrashing in the reverse fixture with Germany back in June is still fresh in their minds, and it will take a united effort to ensure that the multiple-time world champions do not ease to success at the weekend.

Estonia form: LLLLLD

Germany form: WWWLW

Team News

© Reuters

Low will likely make a number of alterations to his side from Wednesday night, with Marco Reus in contention to be included in attack.

Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan will also hope to feature, having played no part of the meeting with Argentina.

The inclusion of Gundogan could lead to Emre Can dropping out of the team if Low opts for a change in formation.

As for Estonia, Voolaid may potentially name the same XI from the stalemate with Belarus.

Frank Liivak could replace Sergei Zenjov on the right flank if a change is made to the starting lineup.

Estonia possible starting lineup: Lepmets; Teniste, Baranov, Mets, Kallaste; Kreida, Kait; Liivak, Vassiljev, Ojamaa; Sorga

Germany possible starting lineup: Neuer; Klostermann, Koch, Sule, Halstenberg; Gundogan, Kimmich, Havertz; Brandt, Gnabry, Reus

© Sports Mole / SM

We say: Estonia 0-3 Germany

We can see nothing but a dominant Germany win here. With Estonia losing each of their home fixtures in the group, it is difficult to see Germany not making it four successive defeats for the hosts with minimal fuss.