Thursday’s World Cup action from Recife sees USA face Germany, with both sides needing just a point to ensure qualification to the knockout stages of the competition.

The Americans were seconds away from a second straight victory on Sunday though a last ditch equaliser from Portugal’s Silverstre Varela ensured that there is still work for them to do in order to progress.

Nurnberg defender Tim Chandler and Sunderland forward Jozy Altidore are both doubtful with respective leg and hamstring injuries so former Germany international Jurgen Klinsmann, who managed the three times winners at the 2006 World Cup in his home country, may stick with the same side that gained a point at the weekend.

Captain Clint Dempsey, who has two in two matches in Brazil so far, is 17.0 (16/1) to open the scoring, while Alejandro Bedoya is a 28.0 (27/1) shot with 888 Sport.

The US are generously priced at 12.0 (11/1) with Bet Victor to get the three points that would see them nick top spot in the group, with Germany odds on favourites at 1.73 (8/11) with most bookamkers. The draw is 2.8 (9/5) with Paddy Power.

The European side, who are now second favourites to win the competition at 5.0 (4/1) with a number of firms, dropped two points against Ghana last time out, though only defeat here coupled with a huge turnaround in goal difference would deny them of a place in the last sixteen.

Mats Hummels faces a late fitness ahead of the game, while top scorer Thomas Muller and Jerome Boateng are also injury doubts but should be fit in time to feature.

Muller is favourite to get the first goal of the game, and can be widely backed at 5.0 (4/1) ahead of 6.0 (5/1) chance Miroslav Klose, whose equaliser on Saturday saw him draw level with Brazil legend Ronaldo as the leading scorer in World Cup finals history.

In the nine previous meetings between the sides, there has never been a draw with Germany’s six wins playing America’s three, though with the a point suiting everybody here and goals for both sides raining in thus far, you may be tempted to take advantage of Bet 365’s offer of 13.0 (12/1) for the 2-2 scoreline.