Group A preview: Kazakhstan next in Germany's sights

Germany laid down a significant Group A marker with a 3-0 win against Turkey on Friday and will look to strengthen their grip on the section against point-less Kazakhstan on Tuesday. Azerbaijan are also yet to get off the mark and could face a backlash from Guus Hiddink's side, while second-placed Austria go to Belgium.

Kazakhstan v Germany, Astana
Bernd Storck's team's chances of springing a surprise in Astana have been hampered by the absence of the suspended Aleksandr Kislitsyn and captain Andrei Karpovich. "We can only learn from this match," said Storck. "This is a great chance for my players to develop. We want to keep the match even for as long as possible but nothing more is possible. Germany are too strong for us."

Joachim Löw is confident Mesut Özil will be available despite missing training on Sunday because of a knock to his right ankle he picked up against Turkey. Özil, who was replaced in the final minute in Berlin, scored against Hiddink's side, with Miroslav Klose striking in either half to maintain Germany's 100% section record. "I'm not planning any changes," said Löw, who could be denied the services of Jerome Boateng because of illness. "If Özil can't play, we have enough class in our squad to replace him. In his position I have Toni Kroos, Cacau and Marko Marin."

Azerbaijan v Turkey, Baku
Berti Vogts is hopeful Ruslan Abushev and Vladimir Levin will both recover from injury but is certain to be without Maksim Medvedev and Fábio, who have returned to their respective clubs. "We worked hard dealing with balls in the air but still conceded the first goal to a header – that was the decisive moment," said captain Rashad F. Sadygov after the 3-0 loss to Austria. "We are looking forward to our first home fixture in this campaign and need to prove ourselves on the night."

Midfielder Mehmet Aurélio has withdrawn from Hiddink's squad after being taken off with a hamstring strain against Germany. Servet Çetin, though, is likely to be available despite fracturing his nose in a collision with goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. "We played against a very powerful opponent and Germany deserved to win," said Hiddink. "They were dominant in midfield. We tried to hold up the ball but as we were not very creative in the attacking third, it was inevitable we would have problems."

Belgium v Austria, Brussels
Two goals from debutant Marvin Ogunjimi finally got Belgium off the mark on Friday and coach Georges Leekens will be seeking a similar outcome against Austria, who lie three points shy of leaders Germany on six. "This victory has been a form of liberation for the lads," said Leekens, who welcomes Vincent Kompany back from suspension. "We've laid good foundations for Austria on Tuesday and we'll try to get the team ready for that match."

Marc Janko has not travelled because of a groin problem which also kept him out of the triumph over Azerbaijan. "Now we have to concentrate fully on Belgium, the match against Azerbaijan is history," said Marko Arnautović, who scored twice on Friday. "Belgium will be twice as difficult, we have to be more compact than we were against Azerbaijan."

Group A table