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Germany has always aspired for goals beyond the group stage. Brazil owns nearly all the relevant World Cup records but it is Germany who has reached the most semifinals with 11 trips and it also the Germans who are tied with Brazil for most trips to the finals with seven.

Yet with the draw of their group this year and the injury to Michael Ballack, the 2006 hosts will be in danger of an early exit if they look beyond the group stage, specifically their matchup with Serbia at 7:30 a.m. EST on Friday in Port Elizabeth.

With Ghana looming large as a threat neither team can afford to leave this game without a point. Serbia knows all too well that scenario after a late-game mishap against Ghana put itself in a precarious position.

The Germans entered the World Cup ranked No. 6 by FIFA while Serbia, in its first World Cup as an independent nation, entered ranked No. 15.

Whether it is the World Cup or Euro Cup, Germany has consistently made long stays in the tournament. Of course their 2-0 loss to Italy on German soil in 2006 was devastating. As was their loss in the Euro 2008 Final. But it would be hard to criticize the Germans for their early tournament performances. That trend continued after it outclassed Australia 4-0 in a game that did little to expose a determined German squad.

The 2006 World Cup run experience will prove invaluable especially in what should be a tight game against the Serbs. The experience from four years ago is especially crucial for players like Phil Lahm, Lukas Podolski and Bastian Schweinsteiger. Those three were supporting actors four years ago but now the onus is on their shoulders and the three have proven early they want that burden squarely on them. It was Podolski, Klose, Thomas Muller and Cacau coming up with the goals in Germany’s opening game statement against Australia.

The players talked about starting with a win over Australia to set the tone and they delivered on that promise. A let down is a possibility against a tough Serbia team but not a likely one.

Even before their World Cup opening game against Ghana, Serbia appeared to be looking ahead to this game. Through the media, whether intentionally or not, Serbian players continued to make references to the powerful German team in their group and their upcoming game against them. The inexplicable loss to Ghana may be a perfect example of a country not having its collective head entirely in the game.

The Serbia strength unquestionably lies with its defense. Defenders Aleksandar Lukovic and Aleksandar Kolarov, both who play in Italy’s Serie A, are joined on the back line by Manchester United’s Nemanja Vidic and Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic. It is clear the defensive talent will be present for Serbia but producing offense is the major question.

Germany vs. Serbia World Cup Odds:
Bodog currently has Germany listed as the price of -150. They list
Serbia at +300 and the draw is currently available at +265. The total is 2.5.

Odds are also available at Sports Interaction.

Germany vs. Serbia Picks and Predictions:

Germany Will Win If: the crosses from its midfielders produce as much havoc to the Serbia defense as they did to the Australian defense. No matter who the finisher is in this game, Klose or Cacau, a combination of Podolski, Mesut Ozil and Marko Marin will be responsible for taking advantage of opportunities.

Serbia Will Win If: It will leans heavily on its defense. And like many teams in the group stage, going against the top team in a respective group and earning a draw may be received almost as enthusiastically as a win.