Germany will take on Northern Ireland on Sunday, 7 September, in a match that suddenly feels like a must-win for the hosts after their shock defeat to Slovakia on Thursday night.
Julin Nagelsmann is now facing serious questions about his future as Germany boss, and failure to beat Northern Ireland here could put their place at next year's World Cup in real jeopardy.
Coming into the match, Northern Ireland are top of Group A following their 3-1 away win in Luxembourg on Thursday.
As part of our ongoing selection of World Cup qualifying betting tips, check out our Germany vs Northern Ireland prediction below.
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Germany vs Northern Ireland prediction: The hosts to get back on track
Key Stats
- Germany beat Northern Ireland 6-1 the last time they played them at home.
- Northern Ireland have won just one of their last seven away matches.
- Northern Ireland have scored at least one goal in each of their last eight matches.
Correct score prediction: Germany 4-1 Northern Ireland
Germany are in dire need of a win on Sunday, and while they would happily take a scrappy 1-0 victory, they have the quality to put Northern Ireland to the sword. At some point, things are going to have to either click into gear or Nagelsmann will face the same fate as Hansi Flick.
Pre-game odds and win probability: The visitors are given little chance
- HOME: 1/8 (1.13) – 88.9%
- DRAW: 17/2 (9.50) – 10.5%
- AWAY: 18/1 (19.00) – 5.3%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
The Germany vs Northern Ireland odds are weighted heavily in favour of the home team, which will come as a surprise to nobody, given there are nearly 70 places between them in the world rankings. Ladbrokes have given Germany an 88.9% chance of winning the match, while Northern Ireland have been given just a 5.3% chance of victory.
You can find all our predictions for today's games on our football betting tips page.
Most recent H2Hs: Advantage Germany
Again, it shouldn't come as a shock to learn that Germany holds an advantage in the recent H2H. Nationalelf have won each of their last nine matches against Northern Ireland, in a run that stretches back to the 1990s. Northern Ireland are searching for their first win over Germany since 1983.
Euro 2019 Qualifying 19/11/19
Germany
Northern Ireland
Euro 2019 Qualifying 09/09/19
Northern Ireland
Germany
Europe - World Cup Qualifying 05/10/17
Northern Ireland
Germany
Europe - World Cup Qualifying 11/10/16
Germany
Northern Ireland
Euro 2016 21/06/16
Northern Ireland
Germany
Germany preview: Not a vintage squad
When you look through the current Germany squad, you do notice very quickly that Nagelsmann is missing some huge players, including Jamal Musiala, Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Kai Havertz. That trio, on top of a couple of others, are missing through injury but that won't stop Nagelsmann from changing things on Sunday after Thursday's horror show.
Predicted lineup: Baumann (GK), Raum, Tah, Rudiger, Mittelstadt, Kimmich, Gross, Adeyemi, Wirtz, Gnabry, Fullkrug
Last five matches
- Slovakia 2-0 Germany
- Germany 0-2 France
- Germany 1-2 Portugal
- Germany 3-3 Italy
- Italy 1-2 Germany
Northern Ireland preview: Liverpool duo will be key
Northern Ireland aren't expected to make any changes from the team that beat Luxembourg in the week. Michael O'Neill won't have too much sympathy for Nagelsmann with respect to injuries as he is also missing key personnel, including Paul Smyth and Ciaron Brown.
Predicted lineup: Peacock-Farrell; McConville, McNair, Hume; Bradley, McCann, S. Charles, Devenny; Galbraith, Price; Reid
Last five matches
- Luxembourg 1-3 Northern Ireland
- Northern Ireland 1-0 Iceland
- Denmark 2-1 Northern Ireland
- Sweden 5-1 Northern Ireland
- Northern Ireland 1-1 Switzerland
Player to watch: Florian Wirtz
We may only be three games into the new Premier League season, but there are already doubts emerging about the transfer fee Liverpool paid for Florian Wirtz. The former Leverkusen man has yet to score or register an assist for his new club and has failed to make any kind of impact in any of their three matches. A strong performance here could give him the confidence he needs to excel when he returns to Liverpool.