Germany midfielder Thomas Müller. (Photo : Getty Images)
The 2018 FIFA World Cup UEFA qualifiers get underway with three Group C matches and one of those games will be featuring FIFA world no. 50 Norway against reigning World Cup champions Germany at the Ullevaal Stadion in the Norwegian capital city of Oslo on Sunday, Sep. 4.
Norway had been busy competing in friendly matches all year as the team was not able to qualify to any major international tournaments including the recent UEFA European Championship last June.
Head coach Per-Mathias Høgmo and his crew have a dismal win-loss-draw record of 2-3-1 in six friendlies so far with their last one ending in a 0-1 loss to Belarus also at their home stadium in Oslo, as per Yahoo Sports.
Belarusian midfielder Sergey Krivets scored the lone goal during the match at the 56th minute to hand the Norwegians their second straight friendly defeat, and third overall this year, which is said to be a "less than ideal preparation before hosting" the Germans in their World Cup qualifying opener this weekend.
Meanwhile, the 2014 World Cup champions are coming off a disappointing Euro 2016 campaign as they were beaten by host nation France, 0-2, at the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille during the semifinals of the said tourney with two goals from Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann, The Guardian reported.
Head coach Joachim Löw's squad is one of the favorites to take home the Euro title this summer, but they were held goalless by their fellow powerhouse in the last four following their penalties win over Italy in the quarterfinals.
Germany is once again the favorite to top Group C in this first round of UEFA qualifiers, which along with Norway is also composed of the Czech Republic, Northern Ireland, Azerbaijan, and San Marino.
Only one team at the end of the first round will automatically advance to the 2018 World Cup while the second-placed squad will possibly move on to the second round for the chance to still qualify in Russia.
The predicted result is a 4-0 romp for Germany.
Norway starting lineup (4-3-3 formation): Nyland; Svensson, Hovland, Linnes, Aleesami; Henriksen, Skjelbred, Johansen; Berisha, King, Diomande
Germany starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Neuer; Kimmich, Boateng, Howedes, Hector; Can, Sané; Özil, Kroos, Draxler; Müller
