Germany to show their World Cup credentials in Milan

An intriguing clash takes place at Milan’s Giuseppe Meazza Stadium as Italy host 5/1 2014 World Cup second-favourites Germany in an international friendly.

The Azzurri topped World Cup qualifying Group B without losing a match and have an unbeaten record against the visitors since German reunification.

However, Italy’s recent home form against top sides is surprisingly poor and with Die Mannschaft in incredible form of late, a Germany win at 6/4 looks the most likely outcome in this fixture.

Joachim Low’s well-oiled machine amassed as many points as any European team and outscored all around them in the group stages, cruising to top spot in Group C by eight points ahead of second-placed Sweden.

They struck eight times in their last two matches without a recognised centre-forward and can only be improved by the return of 68-goal striker Miroslav Klose, who can claim his country’s top-scorer record – which he currently shares with Gerd Muller – outright with a goal at 2/1 here.

However, with so many free-scoring attacking-midfielders to choose from there is plenty of value around in the first-scorer market.

Five Germany players can be backed at 7/1 to break the deadlock, but at a slightly better price take Bayer Leverkusen’s Sidney Sam to grab the opener in San Siro at 9/1.

The 25-year-old winger has scored seven times in the Bundesliga for Bayer so far this term and also grabbed the third goal in his side’s 4-0 Champions League win at home to Shakhtar Donetsk.

Sam has yet to get off the mark in four substitute appearances for his country, but could be given his chance from the start in Italy and will be ready to pounce on any sloppy defending from the hosts.

Cesare Prandelli’s men have lost home friendlies against France and Argentina in the last 12 months and successive draws in their last two Group B games suggest they will struggle to impose themselves against Low’s classy outfit.