Germany v Algeria team news: Arsenal's Mesut Ozil and Per Mertesacker start, but Tottenham's Nabil Bentaleb misses out

Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil and Per Mertesacker start for Germany against Algeria this evening, but Tottenham’s Nabil Bentaleb is only a substitute for the North Africans.

Ozil, a practising Muslim, has decided to forego the strict religious laws of Ramadan, but many of the Algerians have been fasting prior to the match.

Elsewhere in the German side, coach Joachim Low brings in Mario Gotze for the injured gunner Lukas Podolski, while Mats Hummels is out with illness and replaced by Shkodran Mustafi.

Chelsea’s Andre Schurrle is on the bench, as is Miroslav Klose, who will be looking to come on and break Brazilian Ronaldo’s all-time World Cup goalscoring record.

For Algeria, Bentaleb’s omission is one of five changes from the team that drew 1-1 with Russia on Thursday.

The winners will take on France in Friday’s quarter final.

Germany starting XI: Neuer; Mustafi, Boateng, Howedes, Mertesacker; Lahm, Schweinsteiger; Ozil, Kroos, Gotze; Muller.

Algeria starting XI: Mbolhi; Ghoulam, Belkalem, Halliche, Mandi; Lacen, Soudani, Taider, Mostefa, Feghouli; Slimani.