Turkey vs. Germany: Start Time and Schedule for Euro 2012 Qualifier

Germany and Turkey sit atop Group A through eight matches in qualifying for Euro 2012. It is the Germans, however, that have dominated competition to this point and have already qualified for the tournament.

Through eight matches, the Germans have conceded only five goals, scored 28 of their own and have yet to taste defeat.

Turkey holds a narrow two-point edge over Belgium for the second spot in the group, but they trail the Germans by nearly double their total points.

While this match looks lopsided on paper, the Germans want nothing more than to continue their dominance and will make it worth watching. 

Where: Turk Telekom Arena, Istanbul, Turkey

When: Friday, October 7, 2:30 p.m.

Watch: ESPN Latin America Andina, ESPN Latin America North, ESPN Latin America South, ESPN Venezuela

Betting Line (via Bodog): Turkey +125 , Germany -160 , Draw +220

Key Injuries

Germany: Sven Bender and Marcel Schmelzer

Biggest Storyline: Returning German Stars

Mario Gomez and Sami Khedira were absent from Germany's last run through qualifiers.

Gomez stars for Bayern Munich and is the focal point of the German attack.

Khedira, who stars for Real Madrid, will also be back on the pitch along with Dennis Aogo.

It will be very interesting to see how manager Joachim Low features them in his lineup. 

Player to Watch for Germany: Mario Gomez, Forward

The Germans are only carrying three strikers and Gomez is expected to be up top when it matters.

Veteran Miroslav Klose is one of the most prolific scorers in World Cup play, but the time has come for him to give way to the 26-year-old Gomez.

Gomez has scored 46 goals in 68 appearances for Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga, and he's netted 19 in 47 appearances for the international team.

Player to Watch for Turkey: Hamit Altintop, Midfielder

The 28-year-old Real Madrid player has been recalled after missing their last run earlier this month.

Altintop was sorely missed by the Turkish side earlier this month as they played to one victory and one draw.

Turkey is in a battle for a spot with the Belgians, and Altintop will be a very welcome addition back on the pitch.

What They're Saying

An ESPN report covering the current match between Germany and Turkey talked about the potential German roster for future. They also quoted manager Low:

"

Given the lack of surprises in Low's squad, the 24 players he has named are likely to be the main candidates for places in the final squad next summer.

Sven Bender and Marcel Schmelzer, who have been left out of this squad, are two further contenders as Low starts to narrow down his selection over the next six months.

''Both of them have had several knocks in recent weeks so we have decided to leave them out this time,'' he explained. ''I have spoken to both of them on the phone and they should use the next days to train well with their clubs.

"

The big names on the German squad will all be there for the long haul, and we shouldn't really expect any surprises when all is said and done.

Prediction: Germany 4, Turkey 0