The 3 key battles as Germany host England this evening

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.