San Marino vs. Germany: World Cup 2018 Qualifying Live Stream, Preview

Germany will attempt to post a huge score on Friday night, as they travel to San Marino in Group C of European qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

The world champions have dismantled their opponents in their last two contests against the minnows, accumulating 19 goals in the process.  

The Germans lead the group after three games, grabbing maximum points, with Azerbaijan their closest challengers.

San Marino have already shipped nine goals in their three contests, and they are expected to be soundly beaten by Die Mannschaft.

Here is how you can watch the qualification encounter:

Date: Friday, Nov. 11

Time: 7.45 p.m. GMT/2.45 p.m. ET

Venue: San Marino Stadium, Serravalle

TV Info: Sky Sports Mix and HD (UK only), Fox (U.S. only)

Live Stream: Sky Go, Fox Soccer 2Go

Preview

Oliver Kremer at Pixolli Studios/Getty Images

Germany have travelled to San Marino without first-choice goalkeeper Manuel Neuer after the Bayern Munich superstar fell ill with a virus.

According to the the German soccer federation (h/t the Associated Press via the Daily Mail), the world-class stopper fell ill shortly before the defending champions took to the air to make their way to the game. 

The federation also confirmed midfielder Julian Brandt will remain absent after a bout of flu.

The absentees have stacked up for the Group C leaders, with Toni Kroos and Julian Draxler missing. Jerome Boateng is also out with injury, per the Associated Press.

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San Marino have traditionally been the whipping boys of European competition. They have only won one match in their history—a 1-0 friendly victory against Liechtenstein in 2004.

Reuters confirmed Germany coach Joachim Low has included three new members to his regular squad. Serge Gnabry of Werder Bremen has forced his way into the travelling party after his transfer from Arsenal, as have Bayer Leverkusen teenage midfielder Benjamin Henrichs and Wolfsburg's Yannick Gerhardt.

According to Reuters, Low said: "We want to give young players an opportunity to show what they can do. Now we want to see Serge Gnabry, Yannick Gerhardt and Benjamin Henrichs, all of whom we know from the under-21. Their good performances in recent months have been noted."

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Mesut Ozil and Sami Khedira have been rested by the manager for the trip, per Reuters, leaving Low's fringe players the opportunity to shine against poor opposition.

The game should be an easy one for Germany, and there is no risk of a shock against their lowly opposition.

It is questionable whether San Marino should be allowed to compete at this level, with no qualification needed to feature in the group stages before a major competition, but they add balance to the schedule for the bigger nations in Europe.