Meeke could make amends with victory in Germany

BT Sport 2, 6pm Thursday

With just four rounds to go, the World Rally Championship could not be any closer heading into this week's Rally Germany.

Thierry Neuville moved level on points with defending champion Sebastien Ogier in Finland last time, and the pair are virtually inseparable at the top of the championship betting, as well as for this week's Rally Germany.

This is only the second true asphalt test of the season, not counting Monte Carlo where much of the tarmac is under ice. Neuville won the first, in Corsica, but as with so many of this season's events it's not unfair to say the victory was inherited.

Kris Meeke's Citroen held the early lead over a chasing Ogier, and the Northern Irishman was building an advantage when his engine blew up.

It has been a disappointing season for Citroen with just one win in a campaign they began with high hopes of winning the title. A string of accidents for Meeke has not helped, but his eighth place in a tough Rally Finland was his best result since his win in Mexico and should have restored some confidence.

Citroen conducted a week-long test on asphalt recently, in which rally legend Sebastien Loeb participated, so they should be in good shape to confirm the promise they showed on tarmac in France.

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K Meeke
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