Germany vs Serbia Prediction & Preview - Nations League
Serbia go into Thursday's meeting with Germany having lost 1-2 twice in six days, beaten by Greece on 24 September and by Netherlands by the same score three days later. Both defeats came in Novi Sad or wherever Serbia hosted them - both, at least, came with Serbia as the home side, and both ended the same way: a goal scored, two conceded, nothing taken from either game.
What that run says about Serbia
Losing by an identical margin twice running is not proof of a pattern on its own, but it fits with how this group has gone for Serbia. Two matches, two defeats, zero points, and a goal difference that puts them bottom of the section. Coach Veljko Paunović has not flagged any fresh injury or suspension concerns heading into Munich, so whatever changes he makes will be about form rather than fitness.
Germany's numbers are only slightly better
Germany have one point from their own two Nations League games: a 1-1 draw away at Netherlands, followed by a 0-1 home defeat to Greece. That is a side that has not lost either game by more than a goal, but has also not won once. Against the same two opponents that beat Serbia twice, Germany avoided defeat against one of them and lost the other by a single goal rather than two. It is a thin margin, but it is there in the results.
The new manager's awkward start
Jürgen Klopp took over as Germany head coach after Julian Nagelsmann resigned following the team's last-32 exit to Paraguay at the World Cup, a 4-5 defeat that followed group-stage wins over Curaçao (7-1) and Côte d'Ivoire (2-1) and a loss to Ecuador (2-1). Klopp's first assignment was a run of four Nations League matches in eleven days against Netherlands, Greece and now Serbia, and so far it has produced a draw and a loss.
Who Germany are missing
Jamal Musiala withdrew from the squad before the Netherlands game and has not recovered in time for this one. Kai Havertz picked up a suspected hamstring injury during that same match and has also been ruled out. Florian Wirtz and Jonathan Burkardt have been called up as cover, with no confirmed starting eleven given before kick-off.
Serbia's results either side of this camp
Serbia's form away from the Nations League has not offered much to offset the two defeats either. They lost 3-0 to Cabo Verde and 5-1 to Mexico in friendlies at the end of May and start of June, two heavy away losses either side of the summer. There is nothing in the results since to suggest the defending has tightened up.
The match kicks off at the Allianz Arena in Munich on Thursday, 1 October 2026 at 19:45 BST. Full details are on the match page, where you can also see when the game goes live for predictions.
Germany vs Serbia prediction
Germany will beat Serbia in this UEFA Nations League meeting in Munich, based on which side has shown more control against the same opponents this campaign. Serbia have lost both their group games by two goals and go into this one without their most testing fixtures behind them. Germany, missing Musiala and Havertz, have still only lost by one goal in a group where Serbia have lost by two twice.
Our prediction: Germany 2-0 Serbia
Make your prediction
You don't need to know either squad inside out to have a go at this one - just a view on how it finishes. Head to the match page to lock in your scoreline before kick-off, for free, as part of CalledItMate's football prediction game. Check the leaderboard to see how your calls compare once the group stage moves on.