The race for the top spot in Group A continues on Monday as Northern Ireland host Germany at Windsor Park, with the two countries locked in a tense three-way battle for direct qualification to the 2026 World Cup.
After the opening defeat to Slovakia, Germany recovered with successive victories, while Northern Ireland recovered from its loss in Cologne last month with a decisive victory over the Slovaks on Friday.
Michael O’Neill’s side started their qualifying campaign with a confident 3-1 win over Luxembourg before suffering the same result with defeat to Germany in September.
However, they bounced back in style last week, putting in a brave performance to beat Slovakia 2-0 in Belfast. An early goal set them on their way before Trae Hume scored his first international goal late on to seal the win and send Windsor Park celebrating.
The result left Group A in a good position, with Germany, Slovakia and Northern Ireland all level on six points at the halfway point. Germany currently leads the standings on goal difference after beating Luxembourg 4-0 on Friday, leaving the last three rounds as direct penalty shootouts in order to directly qualify for the group.
Northern Ireland, bidding to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in four decades, will face a massive test on Monday. They have lost all of their last 10 meetings with Germany, including the first leg last month, but O’Neill’s 100th game in charge provides extra incentive to pull off a memorable upset.
Team news for the Northern Ireland vs Germany match
Northern Ireland captain Connor Bradley, who excelled against Slovakia, will miss this crucial match due to suspension after receiving a warning on Friday. His absence is a big blow, with Brodie Spencer expected to step in at right-back.
With first choice goalkeeper Pierce Charles still sidelined through injury, Billy Peacock-Farrell will continue at the posts. O’Neill is likely to keep faith with the same defensive trio of Trae Hume, Paddy McNair and Eoin Toole, while Shea Charles and Alfie McCann anchor the midfield.
Moving forward, Cameron Galbraith and Terry Deveney should provide support to Jamie Reid, who is expected to lead the line once again.
Germany is dealing with several injuries to key players. Kai Havertz (knee), Jamal Musiala (ankle), Antonio Rudiger (hamstring), and Marc-Andre ter Stegen (back) have been ruled out, while Niklas Volkrug has also been sidelined with a calf problem.
In attack, Nick Woltemade could start after coming off the bench last time out, joined by Serge Gnabry and Florian Wirtz. Niko Schlotterbeek is suspected to have been withdrawn at half-time against Luxembourg, so Waldemar Anton and Robin Koch are in contention to start in defence.
The expected lineup for the Northern Ireland vs. Germany match
Northern Ireland: Peacock Farrell; Hume, Macnair, Toole; Spencer, McCann, S. Charles, Deviney; Galbraith, Price; Reed
Germany:Bowman; Kimmich, Anton, Tah, Surveyor; Pavlovich, Goretzka; Adeyemi, Gnabry, Wirtz; ULTIMAD
How to watch Northern Ireland vs Germany: TV channel, stream online
Fans in the UK can watch the match from 19:45pm GMT and it will be available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
Statistics for the match between Northern Ireland and Germany
- Germany won both last time 10 meetings With Northern Ireland
- The Germans have scored At least three goals In four of their last five confrontations with the Green and White Army
- Northern Ireland’s last competitive defeat at home ended A year ago
- Michael O’Neill will take over 100th international match As Director of Northern Ireland
- Northern Ireland aims to achieve this First World Cup appearance since 1986
- Germany has won Three games in a row In all competitions since their loss to Slovakia.
- Visitors have registered Seven goals During the last qualifiers
- Northern Ireland scored Six of their last seven games are at home
- Germany has recognized Five of their previous six matches have been away from home
- Sitting both sides Six pointsOnly goal difference separates them in the first group
prediction
Northern Ireland will be pleased with their win over Slovakia and the atmosphere at home at Windsor Park, but facing Germany without key players like Conor Bradley could be crucial.
Despite the injury list, Nagelsmann’s side have plenty of attacking depth and should do enough to overcome the competitive encounter and stay on their way to the top of Group A.
Prediction: Northern Ireland 1-3 Germany
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