Gareth Southgate takes his England side to world champions Germany this evening (7.45pm kick-off) for an international friendly.

It will be the 46-year-old’s first game in permanent charge of the Three Lions after being announced as boss back in November, having before led the side to two wins and two draws in his stint as caretaker manager.

However, tonight sees him begin his era as full time boss, and what great a challenge his side have got in Dortmund in the form of 2014 World Cup winners Germany.

Joachim Low’s side have reached at least the semi-finals in each of the last four World Cups, and although they were unable to add the European Championship last year, they have also reached at the last four of that competition in each of the last three.

With an incredible major tournament record like that, as well as a squad full consisting of some of the best players in world football, it is going to be a huge test for Southgate’s England tonight, but also a good measure of where they are as a team.

Nonetheless, England beat the Germans last year in Berlin, and here are THREE reasons why they will secure the victory in Dortmund tonight…

New era under Southgate

Southgate takes charge of his first game as permanent England boss this evening, which gives him and his team a chance to state their intent ahead of the next few years under the 46-year-old.

He has already made some surprising selections in his squad, with the likes of James Ward-Prowse and Nathan Redmond included, yet that could be a sign that the England boss will use his extensive knowledge of the Under-21 set-up to help his senior squad.

New ideas, fresh impetus, and a chance to impress – what a statement it would be from Southgate’s England side to get a result in Dortmund tonight.

Nothing to lose

After all, Germany are the reigning world champions, and have a squad full of incredibly talented players right throughout the team, from the goalkeepers to the forwards.

Thus, England have got absolutely nothing to lose in Dortmund tonight.

The Three Lions are clearly in transition following Southgate’s appointment as boss, with the 46-year-old including the likes of Ward-Prowse, Redmond, and Marcus Rashford in his side, and younger players often play without fear anyway.

So, going to Germany, in a friendly, could bring the best out of this England team, which may be enough to secure Southgate victory in his first permanent game in charge.

Beat Germany this time last year

It’s not as if England are going to Germany having not beaten the world champions in recent times.

The Three Lions produced arguably their best performance and result under Roy Hodgson by beating Joachim Low’s men 3-2 in Berlin last March, with goals from Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy, and Eric Dier securing an unlikely victory for the visitors, who had earlier fallen 2-0 behind.

Although it’s a different venue and much has changed since then, that win this time last year will give the England players, certainly those that played that day, much confidence ahead of tonight’s encounter, and it will also serve as a reminder to the Germans of England’s capabilities.

They won there last year, so there’s no reason why they can’t get the victory this evening.