The teams are coming out onto the pitch to the usual uplifting World Cup music. Both sets of players look calm as they prepare to blast out the respective national anthems. Kick-off just five minutes away.

Image source, Getty Images

Estadio Castelao, Fortaleza

Capacity: 58,000

Altitude: Sea level.

Climate: Daily temperatures peak at around 30C throughout the year, although the city sometimes benefits from a sea breeze. Occasional rain showers are not uncommon in June.

Background: The renovation of the Estadio Castelao was completed on time and within budget, making the stadium the first World Cup venue to be declared ready. Work began in March 2011, and cost 518m reais (approximately £167m).

Germany breezed through their qualifying group, only dropping points in a bizarre 4-4 draw with Sweden. They scored 36 goals, more than any other European nation.

Having won their group with five wins out of six, Ghana thrashed Egypt 6-1 in the home leg of their play-off to ensure a 2-1 loss in the return leg was academic. They ended as the top scorers in African qualifying with 25 goals.

Former England midfielder Danny Murphy
Match of the Day analyst

Image source, Epa

"The age of the Germany squad is low but they have got lots of caps and experienced players, who are used to playing in huge games week-in week-out.

"I agree that they are one of the tournament favourites. They always turn up at the big tournaments because they have talented players with a great temperament. Germany will be there or thereabouts.

"The weather here in Fortaleza is even warmer than Manaus. I went out for a jog this morning and it was 31C. Some say that will suit the Ghanaians better but I don't agree. The German players have better technical ability, I think they will keep the ball better and get the Ghanaians running about. The heat could be detrimental to them."

Don't forget you can watch and listen to more pre-match analysis on Match of the Day at the top of this page.

Ghana's most influential witch doctor, Nana Kwaku Bonsam, whose name translates as "Devil of Wednesday", has told a local radio station that he is responsible for the injury that has been hampering Cristiano Ronaldo of Group G rivals Portugal.

He claims to have been working on a special spirit called 'Kahwiri Kapam' that has caused an injury to Ronaldo that "can never be cured by any medic".

Shame he didn't focus his attentions on the American players……

Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah visited Liverpool last season as part of an ideas-sharing tour to England.

Appiah and goalkeeping coach Nassam Yakubu observed the Reds' preparations for matches.

He has also been on two similar visits to Manchester City and now uses match analysis software, which is virtually non-existent in Sub-Saharan African football.

Asamoah Gyan is Ghana's top scorer (four) and assist maker (three) in their World Cup history, which means he has been involved in more than two thirds of the 10 goals the Black Stars have scored in their two and a bit appearances in the tournament.

When he left Sunderland in 2012, then-manager Steve Bruce claimed "parasites" had turned Gyan's head after he scored against England at Wembley. The Black Cats broke their transfer record to sign him for a fee of £13m from Rennes after the World Cup in 2010.

There appears to be no end to his talents either as at the 2014 Ghana Music Awards, nicknamed 'Baby Jet', he won the 'Best Highlife Song of the Year' with the song 'Odo Pa'.

Former France striker Thierry Henry
Match of the Day analyst

"Germany's team have been playing with each other for a long, long time and you've got to take that into consideration when you discuss the tournament favourites. Lahm has been fantastic since he moved into the middle, Ozil too. You could go through the whole team, but when you have a guy like Muller in the box you've got a great chance."

One player hoping to take the scoring headlines away from Muller is team-mate Miroslav Klose.

The 36-year-old Lazio striker needs just one goal to equal Brazilian Ronaldo's all-time World Cup record haul of 15.

He is already Germany's record goalscorer with 69 international goals.

Having been an unused substitute in Germany's opener, Klose will again have to be patient after being named on the bench once more.

Former Scotland defender Alan Hansen
Match of the Day analyst

"I don't think there is a team that we can say will definitively go and win the competition. But Germany have a great chance. Brazil have looked ordinary in their first two games and Argentina are no great shakes either."

None of Germany's seven goals against Ghana have been scored before the 60th minute.

The World Cup doesn't suit everyone, just ask England's players. For others though, you could be forgiven for thinking the tournament was made for them.

Step forward Thomas Muller. The Germany forward opened his tournament with a treble in the stunning 4-0 drubbing of Portugal, to take his World Cup tally to eight goals in seven matches.

The Bayern Munich man scored five goals to win the Golden Boot in South Africa four years ago and has scored seven goals in his last four finals matches. He carries on as the 'false number nine'.

The coverage on BBC One is just getting underway, presented by Gary Lineker, with match commentary from Guy Mowbray and former England midfielder Danny Murphy. You can watch by clicking on the Live Coverage tab at the top of this page.

Former England striker Gary Lineker
Match of the Day presenter

Can you believe that England are out of this thing before Germany played twice? Whole new level of humiliation. BBC One shortly.

That's right - you can watch Gary, along with studio guests Thierry Henry, Alan Hansen and Clarence Seedorf, in the 'Live Coverage' tab at the top of this page.

This is how Group G stands after the first round of matches, with Germany and the United States in pole position. A win today would almost certainly put Joachim Low's men through, due to their healthy goal difference, while a victory for the United States on Sunday would leave Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal in dire straits.

Sam Heaton:, external I have Germany as the favourites to win the World Cup. Strength in all areas, ruthless and know how to win.

So Argentina show they are serious about launching a charge for this tournament, what now for Germany?

Can the Germans win another World Cup? Or will Ghana upset their momentum in Fortaleza?

Tweet us your views on #bbcworldcup, text 81111 or comment on the BBC Sport Facebook page., external

Image source, BBC Sport

So what other ways can you stay updated with the action I hear you say? I'm going to tell you now.

The build-up to this evening's action has already started on BBC Radio 5 live, You can then listen to full live commentary of Germany v Portugal from 20:00 BST with John Murray and Tottenham goalkeeper Brad Friedel.

Don't forget you can listen live by clicking on the Live Coverage tab at the top of this page, as well as following live text commentary of the game here.