Gareth Southgate takes charge of his first game as permanent England manager this evening when his men face world champions Germany in Dortmund (7.45pm kick-off).

The former Middlesbrough boss took over on a caretaker basis back in September following Sam Allardyce’s departure, and in the four games Southgate took charge of earlier in the season, he led England to two wins over Malta and Scotland, and two draws against Slovenia and Spain.

That earned him the job on a full time basis, and he begins his reign against Joachim Low’s Germany this evening, a year on from their last meeting which saw England come from 2-0 down to win 3-2 in Berlin.

Nonetheless, the Germans remain one of the top sides in world football, and with a major record like theirs, which has seen them reach at least the semi-finals at each of the last four World Cups, they are a threat every time a tournament comes around.

And they’ll also provide an almighty test to Southgate’s England this evening, in what will be a good measure of where the Three Lions are under their new boss.

With the build-up well underway ahead of tonight’s clash, we’ve analysed the THREE key battles which could decide the outcome in Dortmund…

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.

Leroy Sane v Kyle Walker

This should be a fascinating battle down the flank, with Germany’s in-form Leroy Sane set to face England’s Kyle Walker.

21-year-old Sane took time adapting to English football after signing for Manchester City last summer, but in recent weeks has looked like the player that made headlines at Schalke last season, netting four goals and laying on two assists in his last seven games for Pep Guardiola’s side.

His pace and trickery, and confidence to take defenders on, has been one of the factors in City’s resurgence and return to form in the last month or so, and it’s something Tottenham’s Kyle Walker will attempt to curb this evening.

The 26-year-old has become England’s number one right-back in the last 12 months after several impressive displays for club and country, with his attacking instincts as well as his improving defensive capabilities a real asset to the Three Lions.

He was the only England player who came home with any credit after their Euro 2016 debacle last summer, but it will be his defensive discipline which will be key for England tonight, as if Sane gets a run on him and into space in behind, the visitors could be in trouble.

Walker loves to get forward and influence attacks where possible, but it’s integral that he picks the right time, otherwise Sane could cause them some serious problems.

Thomas Muller v John Stones

Germany’s Thomas Muller has arguably had his worst season in a very long time this term, given that he has scored just six times for Bayern Munich so far, only two coming in the Bundesliga.

You have to go back to 2012 for the last time the 27-year-old failed to net more than 20 in a season, but that record looks in real jeopardy this time around unless he finds some form.

And playing for his country may just instigate a resurgence, given that he has scored 36 times in just 83 games for Germany, including 20 in his last 36 appearances.

This means that England’s John Stones will have to be at his best to thwart the striker this evening, and he himself is coming into this match off the back of one of his best displays of the season against Liverpool on Sunday.

The 22-year-old proved his defensive capabilities against the Reds on Sunday, making several good interceptions and blocks in and around the box, so the confidence he would have gained from that stands him in good stead to take on Muller tonight.