Northern Ireland vs Germany: EURO 2016 Group C Preview & Prediction

Northern Ireland go into their final Group D match against the world champions Germany in Paris on Tuesday night knowing that a would win guarantee their spot in the knockout stages of Euro 2016.

While that might seem like a huge ask, a draw would almost certainly do for them as well, as they are guaranteed at least a third-placed finish in their group already, and four points would likely take them through to the last 16 as one of the four best third-placed teams at their first ever European Championship finals.

Northern Ireland currently sit on three points following a disappointing opening matchday defeat to Poland, before they bounced back brilliantly against Ukraine by registering a 2-0 victory, with Gareth McAuley and Niall McGinn on the scoresheet for Michael O’Neill’s men.

They face a tough task against Germany, although Joachim Low’s men have looked far from convincing in France so far, beating Ukraine 2-0, before playing out a goalless draw against Poland last Thursday.

While they look pretty resolute at the back, having failed to concede a goal in the competition so far, the Germans are struggling in attack, with Mario Gotze and Thomas Muller both failing to hit the heights that they have shown in previous major tournaments, and Low could choose to freshen up his forwards in the French capital.

That said, their four points will likely be enough to take them through to the knockout stages, while a point would guarantee their spot in the last 16.

History certainly favours Germany ahead of this clash too – they have won 12 of their last 15 matches at major tournaments and been beaten only twice by Northern Ireland in the 14 meetings between the two nations, with the last of those coming in 1983.

Gareth McAuley scores Northern Ireland’s opening goal of Euro 2016. Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

Team News:

O’Neill must decide whether he makes changes to a team that were so impressive in their 2-0 win against Ukraine last time out, but if he decides to revert to a more defensive formation, then Conor McLaughlin, Paddy McNair and Kyle Lafferty could come back into the starting XI.

For Germany, the main decision for Low comes in attack and whether he sticks with the out-of-form Mario Gotze in the ‘false 9’ role, or brings in a striker such as Mario Gomez.

In addition, Jerome Boateng, Mesut Ozil and Sami Khedira are all one booking away from a ban and could be rested.

FIFA World Ranking: Northern Ireland – 25th; Germany – 4th
Best European Championship Finish: Northern Ireland – First tournament; Germany – Winners (1972, 1990 & 1996)
Previous Meeting: Northern Ireland 1-4 Germany (June 4, 2005 – International Friendly)
Form: Northern Ireland – DWWDLW; Germany – LWLWWD
Key Men: Northern Ireland – Steven Davis; Germany – Thomas Muller
Shoot Says: Northern Ireland 0-2 Germany