After a stunning display against Australia, it is all about playing down expectations in the Germany camp while trying to perusade Joachim Low that he might like to reconsider his decision to step down as manager at the end of the tournament. The Bayern Munich forward, Thomas Muller, believes that the 4-0 victory in Durban might have been a little overstated  - it was after all against Australia and they were down to 10 men. “The international press are heaping praise on us and when you play well, you are everyone’s darling,” Muller said. “But if we lose 2-0 to Serbia, they will tear us apart.”

After their opening defeat to Ghana, the dark horses of this World Cup look as hamstrung as they did in Germany four years ago. The dismissal of Nemanja Vidic’s regular defensive partner, Aleksander Lukovic, in the 1-0 defeat in Pretoria has put more pressure on the heart of the back four while manager, Raddy Antic, has acknowledged his task is to stop the Serbs feeling sorry for themsleves which could have disastrous consequences against the side that has mastered the Jabulani ball best.

The second game in World Cup groups usually produce positive results because teams, who have lost have no option but to attack and those, like Germany, who have won their opening game, can see qualification beckoning. Serbia are in the no-option-but-to-attack camp. They must disrupt Germany’s tactics and give them little time on the ball – something the Australians notably failed to do. However, should things start to go wrong again then this volatile team might just impolde. Verdict: Germany win.