World Cup 2018: Analysing Germany's provisional squad

Midfielders/Forwards

Marco Reus is back into the squad after missing out in 2014 due to injury

Controversial as it maybe, Germany have a line-up more stacked than when they won the last edition. Despite the absence of some big names up front, the creativity they possess in midfield will more than make up for it.

The players expected to start are Timo Werner up front as the sole striker, Mesut Özil as the central attacking midfielder with Marco Reus and Thomas Müller down the wings, Toni Kroos playing as the creative midfielder from the back and one of Ilkay Gündogan or Sami Khedira partnering him as the workhorse in midfield.

Leroy Sané will be really unlucky to not be part of the starting XI after his phenomenal season at Manchester City, but he will have to serve it out from the bench when Reus is fully fit. Not to jinx things here, but Reus absolutely deserves to start in the World Cup after the disappointment last season.

Back from yet another injury, Reus seems to be back to his usual self and will play a key part if Germany are to defend their title in Russia. His partnership with the other attackers in the national team is excellent, and his 7 goals in just 11 games for Borussia Dortmund is a sign of just how good he is.

Özil has not had the best of seasons with Arsenal, but he is an entirely different player when playing for Germany. He will be the architect that Germany will count on, and his long balls to Werner will be effective when playing against teams that want to sit back and defend.

After a shaky start to the season, Müller has really come into the zone in time for the World Cup, and will be looking to become the player with the most goals in the WC. With 16 goals and 16 assists across all competitions, the possibility becomes greater with each passing moment.

Müller will be hungry to break the record for most goals in the World Cup

After setting the world on fire last season, Werner has continued his success with RB Leipzig, notching up 22 goals and 9 assists across all competitions. He will be the solitary striker up top for them, and it is something he is used to. With Reus and Müller crossing from the wings, all Werner will have to do is to be at the right place at the right time.

With Toni Kroos all but certain of starting, it will be a toss-up between Gündogan and Khedira for the other midfielder. It will come down to the opponent they are facing - with Khedira's industriousness against Gündogan's creativity. Both have had fantastic seasons as part of title-winning squads and not a lot separates the two.

Julian Draxler (5 goals and 6 assists) and Leon Gorerzka (6 goals and 2 assists) are two more players nominated, but the chances of them being part of the starting XI look bleak. Draxler will serve as a super-sub against tired legs, and Goretzka will be covering for Müller from the right.

Both are very young, and are certain to be part of Germany's future World Cup campaigns. This will serve as an experimental outing for them, and they can soak in all the experience without any of the pressure.

Mario Gomez will serve as the back-up striker, and the team will benefit from his overall experience. Nils Petersen is the surprise inclusion here, but the 29-year-old has 15 goals and 1 assist in the Bundesliga this season, and fully deserved the call-up to the provisional squad. Unfortunately, one of these two will probably stay home.

Another player that might not be going to Russia is Julian Brandt, as the others are highly rated by their coach and Brandt seems to be the most expendable of the nominees. A case can be made for Sebastian Rudy, but he is capable of playing at almost any position and considering Löw loves his multidimensional assets, Rudy is bound to be on the plane.

The 27 man provisional squad for Germany's World Cup campaign