Ben Smith in Fortaleza
BBC Sport

"Welcome to Estadio Castelao in Fortaleza. The Germany team bus was followed all the way by two Brazilian TV helicopters. It was welcomed by thousands and thousands of German fans with estimates claiming there are as many as 12,000 in Fortaleza for this game with Ghana. The heat will be a factor today. At 8.30am it was 28C and with a cloudless sky above the stadium that is expected to reach around 32C come kick-off."

Image source, Getty Images

Kevin-Prince Boateng and Jerome Boateng are one of several pairs of brothers to line up at the World Cup finals, but unlike the others they are on opposing sides.

While the Ivory Coast's Yaya and Kolo Toure and Hondurans Wilson and Jerry Palacios are fighting together, half-brothers Kevin-Prince and Jerome are in different camps.

They are no strangers to the rivalry though with Jerome helping Germany to victory over Kevin-Prince's Ghana in the 2010 World Cup group stage.

Kevin-Prince Boateng has predicted a "fight to the death" - going a little bit over the top there perhaps.

Kevin-Prince Boateng is brought into Ghana's side after an impressive substitute appearance against the USA - which means he is up against half-brother Jerome, who lines up in the Germany defence.

Ghana starting XI: Dauda, Gyan (c), Atsu, Boateng, A Ayew, Muntari, Rabiu, Mensah, Asamoah, Boye, Afful.

Borussia Dortmund centre-back Mats Hummels is fit to start as Germany remain unchanged from their 4-0 win against Portugal.

Germany starting XI: Neuer, Howedes, Hummels, Khedira, Ozil, Muller, Lahm (c), Mertesacker, Kroos, Gotze, Boateng.

Ghana's own recent World Cup record isn't too shabby either, becoming the fourth African side to qualify for three consecutive World Cup finals.

Who could forget their run to the quarter-finals in South Africa 2010, when only Uruguay and Luis Suarez's outrageous handball stopped them from becoming the first African nation to reach the semi-finals.

They have got a lot of work to do though if they are to repeat, or better, those exploits after losing their opening group game to the United States 2-1.

John Brooks's late winner was the fourth goal the Black Stars have conceded from set-pieces out of the last six they have let in. I'm sure Germany will be aware of that stat.

Germany's 2014 World Cup got under way in spectacular style as, inspired by Thomas Muller's hat-trick, they demolished a sorry-looking Portugal 4-0.

They have only lost one of their last 19 games in the group stages of the finals - winning 14 of them - and have been beaten by African opponents in the World Cup once, when Algeria shocked them in 1982.

But Ghana fans don't despair. If you dig around the statistics hard enough, you can find a slight grain of hope. Since 1994, Germany have won their second World Cup group game just once.

Clutching at straws or a slight flaw for Ghana to seize upon?

Good evening and, yes, the Germans are on the World Cup march once again.

Stick with me for live text commentary of their Group G match against Ghana, where victory will almost certainly see them progress from the first round for the 16th finals in a row.

In fact, they have only failed to reach the quarter-final in one World Cup that they have entered and boast three titles and four other final appearances. Not bad eh?

Some things in the World Cup are predictable.

Image source, AFP

There will be a shock result in the tournament. Check.

Image source, Getty Images

England will let you down. Check.

Image source, Getty Images

And Germany will qualify for the next round. Give it time.

Germany defender Mats Hummels will be given every opportunity to prove his fitness after badly bruising his thigh against Portugal.

Regardless of whether Hummels is fit or not, captain Philipp Lahm will stay in his new defensive midfield role.

Ghana's Michael Essien has returned to full training after a toe injury.

Kevin-Prince Boateng could come into the starting line-up, meaning he will be on opposing sides to his half-brother, Jerome, of Germany.