Germany host Northern Ireland in their second 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier in UEFA Group A.
Victory could lift Germany up to second if win by three goals or more although top spot is achievable if Slovakia lose to Luxembourg.
Northern Ireland will stay top with a win although a draw would be enough if Slovakia fail to better their result.
Team News
Germany have no fresh injury concerns after their shock 2-0 loss away to Slovakia.
Niclas Fullkrug withdrew prior to that trip with a calf injury.
Northern Ireland have no fresh injury concerns after their 3-1 victory away to Luxembourg.
When is Kick-Off?
Germany host Northern Ireland at RheinEnergieStadion, Cologne, on Sunday 7 September at 8:45pm CEST (7:45pm BST), live on BBC2 in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Germany have claimed 16 out of a maximum 18 points against Northern Ireland in World Cup Qualifiers (W5, D1).
- Northern Ireland are yet to win away to Germany (D1, L2).
- Germany have kept just one clean sheet in three previous World Cup qualifiers at home to Northern Ireland.
- Germany have lost each of their last two games in all competitions by 2-0 results.
- Northern Ireland have scored in each of their last eight matches in all competitions (W4, D2, L2).
Prediction
Winless in their last four matches in all competitions and without a clean sheet in six games, Germany really need to start finding form and be more clinical than they were in Slovakia otherwise they could go into October in a do-or-die situation if they were to lose here.
Northern Ireland though might not have a win over Germany in World Cup qualifiers but are in strong goalscoring form coming into this match, yet I do think that they will need to be at their defensive best because I expect Germany to dominate so frustrating their attack will be key.
Nevertheless this is a big ask for Northern Ireland but on current form, I can see them somehow nicking a draw if lucky.
Prediction: Germany 1-1 Northern Ireland
Result: Germany 3-1 Northern Ireland
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