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With the group stage ripe with surprising results, overachieving countries and disappointing performances from perennial powers, a clash of two global titans in the Round of 16 was not out of the question.

And that is exactly what the draw has produced with Germany and England meeting in the Round of 16 at 10 a.m. EST on Sunday in Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein. These two sides meeting in an elimination game may seem more fitting for a semifinal or final game. But thanks to two lackluster draws by England only one of these countries will have World Cup life into the quarterfinals.

This will be the 32nd game between these two countries with England holding a 15-10-6 advantage. Of those 15 wins over the Germans none were bigger than the 4-2 triumphant in 1966 World Cup Final on home soil that gave England its only World Cup title.

Even with a disappointing group stage for England and the uncharacteristic German shutout loss to a Serbia side who would not even get out of the group stage, this has all the makings one of the premier World Cup games.

The Germans displayed its potential in a 4-0 drubbing of Australia in its World Cup opener and bounced back from the 1-0 loss to Serbia with a group-clinching 1-0 win over Ghana who also moves on to Round of 16 from Group D. England’s fate was in danger much longer than the Germans. Entering Wednesday England was actually on the outside looking in, but a first-half goal changed that and the Three Lions remained in charge the rest of the game. They failed to win the group, something that seemed to be a foregone conclusion entering the tournament, but no one is taking the Group C runners-up lightly.

England actually seems to be in the better position entering Sunday’s knockout game. Fabio Capello’s squad looked as if it finally found its stroke against Slovenia and played with that sense of urgency that had been lacking. The biggest difference this time out for England was the move of Jermain Defoe to a starting position on the attack. It was Defoe’s goal in the 22nd minute that proved the difference and cemented his position in the starting 11.

Germany paid a steeper toll to escape the group stage. Midfielders Mesut Ozil and Bastian Schweinsteiger along with defender Jerome Boateng are all question marks with injury issues as the England game approaches. None of the three were able to finish the Ghana game. It was Ozil who scored the second-half goal in the 1-0 win over Ghana that ensured this matchup. This is the youngest German World Cup squad ever but entering the knockout stage it is showing some age. The return of Miroslav Klose after serving a one-match ban will be a welcome addition considering the fitness issues with three of the German starters.

Germany vs. England World Cup Odds:
In one of the more even games you will see in this World Cup the oddsmakers have the line at a pick with England at -130 and Germany at Even. Despite failing to win its group and going against a German team who did win its group, England is a slight favorite. In three-way wagering England is +155, with Germany +170 and a draw listed at +220. The total is 2.5 with the over paying +120 and the under set at -155. All lines apply for only regulation and injury time. Odds are courtesy of Bodog and Sports Interaction.

Germany vs. England Picks and Predictions:
Germany Will Win If: It remains patient and waits for England to give it an opening. This clash has all the makings of extra time and penalty kicks and those situations actually favor Germany. No team wants to enter an elimination game hoping for extra time or the dreaded penalty kicks but Germany needs to play within itself and be prepared for the match to go the distance.

England Will Win If: It attacks the Germans and plays with the passion and urgency it did against Slovenia. The missing persons report remains out for Wayne Rooney but the Manchester United striker has made small gradual steps since his disappearing act earlier in the tournament. Defoe will get plenty of attention after his performance in the must-win third game for England and that should be all fine and well with Rooney who has the pressure heaped on him by media and fans alike.

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