Joachim Low's side welcome their fellow footballing giants to Borussia Dortmund's Signal Iduna Park as the pair re-enact the 2014 World Cup final.

Match preview

Germany manager Joachim Low on March 27, 2018 © Reuters

Germany will welcome Argentina to Dortmund on Wednesday night as the pair prepare for a heavyweight friendly clash.

Low's side play a competitive Euro 2020 qualification fixture away from home against Estonia just four days later, however, and the head coach is likely to experiment a little with his team.

The pair have only met once since Mario Gotze's extra-time winner handed Germany the World Cup on Brazilian soil five years ago and broke Argentine hearts - a 4-2 friendly victory for the losing finalists on that day.

In fact, Argentina have an outstanding record against Germany in friendly matches, winning four and drawing one of their last five such meetings.

However, Germany have usually come out on top when it matters, knocking Argentina out of the World Cup in both 2010 and 2006 before the 2014 final.

Both nations suffered a disastrous tournament in the summer of 2018, however, with Argentina barely escaping from the group stage before losing 4-3 to eventual winners France in the round of 16, while Germany did not even make it out of the group stage in a pitiful defence of their title.

Since then, Argentina have contested another tournament, coming third in the Copa America after losing 2-0 to hosts Brazil in the semi-finals before beating Chile in an ill-tempered third-place playoff.

Germany, meanwhile, have been busy with Euro 2020 qualification, and top their group - but only on goal difference - with Northern Ireland surprisingly their nearest challengers.

Germany form: DWWWLW

Argentina form: WWLWDW

Team News

Manuel Neuer in action for Germany on November 15, 2018 © Reuters

Barcelona shot-stopper Marc-Andre ter Stegen is set to be handed an opportunity to impress ahead of regular stalwart Manuel Neuer between the sticks on Wednesday.

Low has persisted with the older man following his return from injury before the World Cup in 2018 despite impressive displays from Ter Stegen at club level.

However, he is set to offer the current deputy a chance to stake his claim for the starting spot - a decision that Bayern president Uli Hoeness has not taken well, threatening to prevent the club's players from representing Germany if Neuer was dropped.

For Argentina, superstar Lionel Messi remains suspended and several star names have been left out as Lionel Scaloni seeks to learn about some of the less-established members of his squad.

Scaloni is also limited by a number of players being unavailable due to the Copa Libertadores, while Low is contending with a lengthy injury list.

Germany possible starting lineup:
Ter Stegen; Stark, Sule, Tah; Halstenberg, Havertz, Kimmich, Klostermann; Gnabry, Werner, Reus

Argentina possible starting lineup:
Marchesin; Tagliafico, Rojo, Otamendi, Foyth; Acuna, Paredes, De Paul; Correa, L. Martinez, Dybala

We say: Germany 3-1 Argentina

Despite Argentina's terrific record in friendly meetings between these two, the absence of Messi and several other big names, combined with Germany's home advantage and the strength of their squad should mean the hosts come out on top in what could be an entertaining fixture.

Written by
Sean Wilson