Germany will face Northern Ireland on Sunday at the Cologne Arena in a key match for the 2026 World Cup European qualifiers. Here’s a betting tip for this encounter with promising odds.
Match preview
Germany recently faced an unexpected defeat against Slovakia, making their position in the group more challenging. Under coach Julian Nagelsmann, the team has been inconsistent, winning only half of their last 24 matches and showing vulnerabilities in defense. They have conceded two or more goals in nearly every game this year.
On the brighter side, their attacking lineup includes players like Wirtz, Gnabry, Füllkrug, and emerging talent Woltemade. The team understands the importance of avoiding further mistakes in their quest for World Cup qualification, so an aggressive and high-scoring performance is expected in Cologne.
Northern Ireland started their qualification campaign with a strong 3-1 victory over Luxembourg and travels to Germany with confidence. The squad is evolving, although their fighting spirit and discipline remain strong. They have won half of their last 16 matches, indicating progress under coach Michael O’Neill.
However, history is against them; Northern Ireland has lost their last nine matches against Germany. Players like Jamie Reid and Justin Devenny are in the squad, but they may lack the quality needed to cause an upset. The team will likely rely on counterattacks and set pieces to create scoring opportunities.
Probable lineups
- Germany: Baumann; Raum, Tah, Rüdiger, Mittelstädt; Kimmich, Groß; Adeyemi, Wirtz, Gnabry; Woltemade
- Northern Ireland: Peacock-Farrell; McConville, McNair, Hume; Bradley, McCann, Charles, Devenny; Galbraith, Price; Reid
Match facts and head-to-head
- Germany has lost only four times in World Cup qualifying history, with one loss occurring this week.
- Northern Ireland’s last World Cup appearance was in 1986.
- Germany has defeated Northern Ireland in their last nine encounters.
Prediction
Germany needs to secure a win and should collect all three points in Cologne. The skill difference is considerable, making it tough for the visitors. Consider betting on “Germany to win with a -2.0 handicap” at odds of 1.62.
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