Germany is 4-0 with 19 goals scored and none conceded since Loew took over from Juergen Klinsmann after the team's third-place finish at the World Cup.

That's the best start any Germany coach has had. But the goal difference is inflated by the 13-0 win in San Marino, a record in European qualifying.

That also happens to be the only win away from home Germany has had in its last six games.

Under Klinsmann, Germany lost 2-0 to Slovakia in Bratislava in a friendly 13 months ago.

Germany is coming off an unimpressive 2-0 win over Georgia in a friendly, while Slovakia won 5-1 at Wales 5-1 in European Championship qualifying.

``With its strong attack, Slovakia will put us under pressure,'' Loew said. ``We'll have to play at our limit. They see an opportunity and they will play with a lot of emotion and motivation. But we are not going into the game with fear.

``We are very well prepared for this game. I think we can win and set our sights on the European championship.''

Germany, with six points from two games, could move ahead of Slovakia, which has six points from three games in Group D.

The Czech Republic leads the group with nine points and a perfect 3-0 record, including a 3-0 win at Slovakia, and is at Ireland on Wednesday.

``If we lose, it will be difficult in this group,'' captain Michael Ballack said.

Striker Miroslav Klose and goalkeeper Jens Lehmann are expected to return for Germany, but seven World Cup players are injured with central defenders Christoph Metzelder and Per Mertesacker out.

Midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has an ear inflammation, but has been ruled fit to play. Several players picked up slight colds while training on the windy Baltic coast in the past week.

Slovakia's greatest threat is expected to come from the Nuremberg pair of Marek Mintal and Robert Vittek. Mintal scored twice against Wales and Vittek had one goal. Midfielder Miroslav Karhan, who had both goals in the last game between Germany and Slovakia, also scored Saturday.

``We should forget that game,'' Karhan said of the friendly against Germany. ``This will be another level, a different kind of motivation.''

Vittek described Germany's team as ``compact and stable'' which is ``a clear favourite against us.''

Loew said the 2-0 defeat 13 months ago has been long forgotten.

``Our confidence has grown, we know we can rely on our strengths,'' he said. ``We've become more mature, we have a certain confidence.''

German authorities are stepping up border controls after reports that 500 known troublemakers are on their way to the game. At the last match, German hooligans caused problems.