With 2018 World Cup qualifying ending around the globe, there is still plenty to play for in the UEFA groups and on Thursday night, Northern Ireland welcome Germany to Windsor Park in an intriguing game.
Northern Ireland did superbly well to qualify for the 2016 European Championship and have continued from there in UEFA World Cup qualifying Group C. They come into this match in second place in the group having won 19 points from their 8 games played.
The only team above them is Germany, who have won all 8 of their matches and top the group with maximum points. A single point from this game will enough for Germany to qualify for the World Cup in Russia next year.
UEFA World Cup Qualification Group A – Northern Ireland vs. Germany – Windsor Park, Belfast – 5 October 2017 – 19.45 GMT
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Draw Best Odd of: 19/4 at Ladbrokes |
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Northern Ireland
GermanyNorthern Ireland Form
Northern Ireland come into this huge match having won each of their last 5 matches. There have been 4 victories in World Cup qualifying games and 1 friendly win, which was at home against New Zealand.
The 4 World Cup qualifying wins have included two 2-0 home victories over Norway and Czech Republic plus two away wins in Azerbaijan and San Marino, which finished 1-0 and 3-0 respectively.
Northern Ireland kept a clean sheet in all 5 of those games and will be aiming for more of the same in this match.
At home, Northern Ireland are on a good run of form in competitive games and you must go back to September 2013 to find the last time they lost a competitive match at home, which was against Portugal.
Germany Form
Germany make the trip to Belfast in confident mood having won all 8 of their games in this group.
Not only have they maintained a 100% record, they have also scored a total of 35 goals, which is over double the amount scored by Northern Ireland. The 2014 World Cup winners have conceded only 2 goals, the same as their hosts and have an astonishing plus 33 goal difference.
Germany boast an incredible record away from home in World Cup qualifying games and have remained undefeated in each of their 46 matches. In fact, they have only lost 2 World Cup qualifying games in their history, both of which came at home and the last was 16 years ago.
Team News
Northern Ireland could be without experienced central defender Aaron Hughes, who is struggling with injury after the weekend club fixtures. However, they can welcome back Gareth McAuley who missed the previous qualifying games.
Germany will be without the injured trio of Manuel Neuer, Mesut Ozil and Sami Khedira who are on the treatment table. Bayern Munich’s Jerome Boateng and Manchester City’s Leroy Sane have made the squad and will hope to play some part in the game.
Top Betting Tips
Despite the good home form of Northern Ireland, Germany remain heavy favourites for this game and this is reflected in their odds of 2/7 with Ladbrokes to take maximum points.
However, they will be made to work for the victory every step of the way by the hosts and may have to settle for a narrow win. Germany to win by a 1 goal margin is 11/4 with Ladbrokes.
Both teams have excellent defensive records and goals could be at a premium in this match. William Hill offer 6/1 for Germany to win the match 1-0.