The 3 key battles as Germany host England this evening

Mats Hummels v Jamie Vardy

Germany’s Mats Hummels is one of the best defenders in world football, and he looks set to start at the heart of the German backline against England this evening.

The 28-year-old made the move to Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich last summer from rivals Borrusia Dortmund, and has continued to prove his incredible defensive credentials in helping Carlo Ancelotti’s men to 17 clean sheets in 35 appearances this season.

However, he may have to contend with a rapidly-improving Jamie Vardy tonight, with the Leicester City forward beginning to find some form after a tricky campaign.

The 30-year-old, who scored 24 Premier League goals last season to help Claudio Ranieri’s side win the title, managed just two league goals in his first 14 games of the campaign, and then went on a barren spell of no goals in nine matches between December and February.

Nonetheless, Vardy has found his best form in recent weeks to net four times and lay on two assists in his last five appearances, in turn helping Leicester reach the last eight of the Champions League, as well as pull clear of the bottom three.

And his pace, directness, and tenacity will give Hummels something to think about this evening as England look for a second successive win over Germany.