Euro 2016 Qualifier preview and odds: Republic of Ireland vs. Germany

Published on: 05/10/2015

Euro 2016 Qualifier preview and odds: Republic of Ireland vs. Germany

October 8, 2015 20:45pm - Aviva Stadium

2016 European Championship Qualifying Group D

Ireland will play perhaps their most crucial game in years on Thursday night when they welcome World Champions Germany to the Aviva Stadium in what could be a make-or-break clash in Group D.

All to play for the Republic of Ireland

A win on Thursday night would ensure that the Republic of Ireland would still have a chance of qualifying for Euro 2016 going into the final game against Poland next week. It would also mean that confirmation of Germany´s place in the finals would also be put on hold for another three days.

The Germans will travel to Dublin knowing that a draw would be enough to seal their place at next year´s flagship UEFA international tournament. If the game does finish even, then Ireland will have to hope that Scotland get a result against Poland in the other group match to still stand a chance of qualifying automatically via second place. A third-place finish would still leave the door to qualification open via the best finisher and play-off routes.

Ireland will be buoyed by the fact that they earned a point when the teams met in Gelsenkirchen last October - thanks to a stoppage-time equaliser from John OShea, who was making his 100th appearance. The bad news is that the Irish have never beaten the Germans in a competitive environment. The last time Joachim Lows team visited Dublin in 2012 they ran out 6-1 winners. Since then, Martin O`Neill`s team have been solid at home having lost just one out of eight competitive fixtures.

Team news

James McClean and Glenn Whelan are both suspended for the home side while Seamus Coleman, James McCarthy, Jon Walters and Marc Wilson are all just a card away from a ban.

For Germany, Bayer Leverkusen goalkeeper Bernd Leno has been added to the squad that beat Scotland and Poland last month.

Recent form (Euro Qualifying)

Republic of Ireland: WWDDL

Germany: WWWWW

Betting odds and tips

Germany took a while to find their form in this group but have won five in a row since drawing with Ireland last year. During that spell they have scored an average of 3.2 goals per game while conceding a total of just three. However, this is a massive game for Ireland and the Germans know that a draw will be enough to see them through. You can back the draw at 7/2 with Bet365.

Only Cristiano Ronaldo has more goals at UEFA European Championship level than Irelands Robbie Keane. You can back the LA Galaxy striker to score anytime at 14/5 with Boylesport.

Published on: 05/10/2015

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (05/10/2015 15:37:53) but are subject to change.