After starting with a shock loss in Slovakia, the Germans have since posted back-to-back wins; meanwhile, their hosts – who were beaten in Cologne last month – also claimed maximum points on Friday.<\/p>\n
Match preview<\/p>\n
Having kicked off their campaign with a 3-1 win over Luxembourg, Northern Ireland were then beaten by the same scoreline in Germany<\/strong><\/a> at the start of September, leaving them three points behind early leaders Slovakia.<\/p>\n Undeterred – and hoping to upset the odds by reaching next year’s finals automatically – they took a huge stride towards claiming top spot with a fearless display on Friday evening, when the Slovaks arrived in Belfast.<\/p>\n Michael O’Neill’s men seized the lead through an early own goal, before Trai Hume<\/strong><\/a>‘s first international strike sealed the deal late on, sparking scenes of celebration around Windsor Park. \u00a0<\/p>\n That result leaves Group A wide open, as three teams sit on six points at the halfway stage; albeit Germany, who beat 10-man Luxembourg 4-0, are now ahead on goal difference.<\/p>\n So, the final three rounds will serve as a shootout for automatic qualification, while the runners-up will have to participate in the playoffs.<\/p>\n Before hosting Slovakia in November, Northern Ireland – who are aiming for their first World Cup appearance in 40 years – must host the four-time world champions.<\/p>\n Following last month’s reverse in Germany, this week’s hosts have lost the last 10 meetings<\/strong><\/a>, but O’Neill will still hope to pull off a big shock and celebrate his 100th international match in style.<\/p>\n Having made a hesitant start to their latest World Cup campaign – losing an away qualifier for the very first time – Germany have since bounced back and now occupy first place in Group A.<\/p>\n Though they beat Northern Ireland in Cologne, it was another unconvincing performance, with the score tied at 1-1 before Nadiem Amiri<\/strong><\/a> and Florian Wirtz<\/strong><\/a> both struck in the final 20 minutes.<\/p>\n Die Nationalelf then returned to action on Friday evening, with a home fixture against rock-bottom Luxembourg.<\/p>\n Already one goal to the good via David Raum<\/strong><\/a>‘s early free kick, they then effectively killed off the contest on 20 minutes, as the VAR awarded a penalty and reduced Luxembourg to 10 men. Captain Joshua Kimmich<\/strong><\/a> duly converted that spot kick and went on to bag a brace, while Serge Gnabry<\/strong><\/a> also got his name on the scoresheet in Sinsheim.<\/p>\n Under plenty of pressure, given his modest recent record as Bundestrainer, Julian Nagelsmann<\/strong><\/a> will be aware that his team cannot take their foot off the gas, because only the winners of each group will advance directly to next year’s finals.<\/p>\n So, Germany must try to claim maximum points in Belfast, where they have won on all of their three previous visits this century – and by a 9-2 aggregate scoreline.<\/p>\n Northern Ireland World Cup Qualifying – Europe form:<\/p>\n W L W<\/p>\n Northern Ireland form (all competitions):<\/p>\n L L W W L W<\/p>\n Germany World Cup Qualifying – Europe form:<\/p>\n L W W<\/p>\n Germany form (all competitions):<\/p>\n D L L L W W<\/p>\n Team News<\/p>\n By common consent, Northern Ireland captain Conor Bradley<\/strong><\/a> was the hosts’ star man against Slovakia, but he must miss Monday’s high-stakes game due to suspension.<\/p>\n A second-half yellow card will cost Bradley – who has also been booked three times in five Premier League appearances this season – his place on the right flank, so Oxford United’s Brodie Spencer<\/strong><\/a> could deputise.<\/p>\n The latter sat out on last month’s reverse fixture through injury, but he may now step into an otherwise unchanged starting XI: as first-choice goalkeeper Pierce Charles is still sidelined by a shoulder problem, experienced back-up Bailey Peacock-Farrell<\/strong><\/a> will continue behind a familiar 3-4-2-1 formation.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Germany are without several key men this month; most notably, Kai Havertz (knee), Jamal Musiala<\/strong><\/a> (ankle), Antonio Rudiger (hamstring) and Marc-Andre ter Stegen (back).<\/p>\n Niclas Fullkrug’s calf issue also leaves Nick Woltemade<\/strong><\/a> as favourite to lead Die Nationalelf’s attack; in-form Gnabry – who scored the opener at home to Northern Ireland – should join the Newcastle United man and Liverpool’s Wirtz in the final third.<\/p>\n After missing both September fixtures, Borussia Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck<\/strong><\/a> started on Friday, but he was hooked at half time amid concerns for his fitness. So, Waldemar Anton and Robin Koch are both on standby.<\/p>\n Northern Ireland possible starting lineup:<\/strong><\/p>\n Peacock-Farrell; Hume, McNair, Toal; Spencer, McCann, S. Charles, Devenny; Galbraith, Price; Reid<\/p>\n Germany possible starting lineup:<\/strong><\/p>\n Baumann; Kimmich, Anton, Tah, Raum; Pavlovic, Goretzka; Adeyemi, Gnabry, Wirtz; Woltemade<\/p>\n We say: Northern Ireland 1-2 Germany<\/p>\n As if the grand prize of World Cup qualification were not enough, Northern Ireland will be spurred on by Nagelsmann’s comments following last month’s clash.<\/p>\n However, immediately repeating their superb showing against Slovakia is a very tall task, so Germany – who cruised to an easy home win on Friday – can strike twice and quieten Windsor Park.<\/p>\n For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n![\"Germany's](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/https:\/\/sportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net\/uploads\/2025\/09\/iconsport-269579-0047-1-68bded.webp\"\/)
<\/p>\n![\"Northern](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/https:\/\/sportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net\/24\/46\/conor-bradley.jpg\"\/)
<\/p>\n![\"SM](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/https:\/\/sportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net\/20\/33\/sm-words-green-background.png\" "\\"SM")
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![](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/https:\/\/sportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net\/24\/46\/jonathan-oshea.jpg\"\/)
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