European Ryder Cup captain Bernhard Langer believes his team can knock over two of the leading United States players before clinching the 35th Ryder Cup at Oakland Hills on Sunday.

Europe, a record 11-5 ahead of the Americans going into the 12 last-day singles matches, need just three more points to retain the trophy they won at The Belfry in 2002.

The U.S. have traditionally dominated the last-day singles but Langer is predicting only one victory for the home team from world number two Tiger Woods, second-ranked Phil Mickelson and fifth-ranked Davis Love III.

"I'm actually pretty sure and convinced that, out of the first three matches, I'd be very surprised if we don't get two points," Langer told reporters on Saturday.

Briton Paul Casey is scheduled to tee off against Woods in the first match at 1200 local (1600 GMT). Spaniard Sergio Garcia, against Mickelson, follows at 1211 (1611) with another Briton, Darren Clarke, taking on Love from 1222 (1622).

"I figured that (U.S. captain) Hal (Sutton) would front-load, which he did, and I tried to counteract that by putting my guys where I felt was best for the team," Langer added.

"I like what I see on paper, but that doesn't mean a whole lot in the end. It's the guys out there swinging the club and making the putts that count.

"I expect my team to be totally focused, to go out there and to play the way they have been playing all week.

"And I think they are going to win about five or six points tomorrow, and that would be fantastic."

Europe are poised to lift the Ryder Cup for the ninth time, and a fourth success in the last five matches.

After winning three of the four afternoon foursomes on Saturday, Langer's team secured their biggest-ever lead going into the final day.

"I'm very happy and very proud of my team," the German added. "They've played tremendously well, they've played awesome. We should have another tough day tomorrow and we need another three and a half points.

"We have more depth on our team than we have probably ever had before. We have great players.

"Attitude is very important. Confidence and believing in yourself is very important. And l've been telling them that all week."

Although the Americans overturned a 10-6 deficit at Brookline in 1999 to complete the biggest comeback in Cup history, Sutton's team face a near-impossible task on the slick, severely sloping greens at Oakland Hills.

He said: "These are very difficult. In a way, you're kind of waiting and playing off another guy's mistake, trying to make sure you don't do something drastic.

"We've got our work cut out for us on these greens."