Northern Ireland vs Germany Betting Preview – Euro 2016, 21st June
The Irish have played their way into a position of guaranteeing that they will finish in the top three of Group C. They rolled out a positive win over the Ukraine in their second group stage match after having lost their opener against Poland. But they have to shoot for a point in this one against the reigning World Champions to help push them towards, in a worst case scenario of being one of the best third place finishers from the group stage. Can Northern Ireland pull off a huge night?
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Northern Ireland vs Germany Betting Tips
Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill wasn’t afraid to change things up in his starting eleven after having lost their opener against Poland. He even put Kyle Lafferty on the bench to start the game against the Ukraine with, but the changes made worked brilliantly as Northern Ireland, full of defensive fire and carrying a big threat from set pieces, took a 2-0 win, their first ever victory in the finals of a major tournament. It was Gareth McAuley who put the Irish up in the 49th minute (because the second oldest scorer in the history of the tournament) before Niall McGinn sealed the deal six minutes into stoppage time. So that has set up Northern Ireland with a shot at the round of sixteen, while it also sent the Ukraine home. The big thing for Northern Ireland going into the game against Germany is to watch their goal difference, which could help them should they end up as one of best third placed teams from the group stage.
Under 2.5 goals in this match up is trading at a price of 4/6 on the match and that has to happen you feel, for this game to end favourable for the Irish. Northern Ireland have conceded at least three goals in each of their last four games against Germany. However, their defence is right on top of their game at the moment and they are looking a confident and happy side, ready to put up a fight against anyone. Kyle Lafferty is 4/1 in the anytime goalscorer market for the game, the shortest priced Irish player in the market. At the other end of the scale you have outright favourites Thomas Muller and Mario Gomez going off at 8/11. Will Muller get his first ever European Championship goal on the board?
World Champions Germany have not found their top gear at Euro 2016 just yet. They have been efficient as opposed to lowering dominant but you get the feeling that they have more to offer. Their midfield has looked good, but have not entirely clicked in the final third and some key players like Julian Draxler and Mesut Ozil have underperformed a fair bit. Germany battled out a 2-0 win over the Ukraine in their opening fixture before behind held in a 0-0 draw against Poland a game which should have produced a hatful of goals. Germany’s back line was exposed quite a bit in that game, but they survived for their second clean sheet of the tournament. Germany have the head to head advantage against Northern Ireland but the draw against Poland will have raised questions of them as their current form is only W3 D1 L3. Will Northern Ireland be able to frustrate them?
Northern Ireland vs Germany Betting Odds
Germany 1/3, Draw 9/2, Northern Ireland 10/1
Northern Ireland vs Germany Predictions
This will be a real test of Northern Ireland’s defensive corp. It is going to be a tough ask for the Irish to go on and take the win in this one, but the timing could be right in them keeping the Germans frustrated, because Die Mannschaft having been playing their best stuff so far. A spirited performance could keep Northern Ireland in the hunt for a knockout stage place through the best third placed teams, but they may just be edged out here in a low scoring game.
