Ireland v Germany predictions, tips, lineups and free bets (Euro 2016 qualifiers - 8.10.2015)

Thursday, 08 October 2015 10:57
Written by David Bet

Ireland welcome the Group D leaders and World Cup Champions Germany to the Aviva Stadium on Thursday night hoping to secure their place in the Euro 2016 play-offs with a win. Don't miss our IRELAND v GERMANY match preview with betting tips, predictions, enhanced odds, probable lineups, the best free bets and no deposit bonuses from the leading online bookmakers!

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IRELAND v GERMANY BETTING PREVIEW

Ireland are on a four-match unbeaten run, having beaten Gibraltar and Georgia in the last round of fixtures. As consequence, they were able to close the gap to Poland in second place to two points. A draw is the minimum requirement for Ireland against the current World Champions.

O'Neil could lean towards a more compact 4-4-2 formation as he will be without James McClean and Glenn Whelan, who are both suspended. Everton right back Seamus Coleman is also going to miss the match and Stoke defender Marc Wilson is also sidelined. Wes Hoolahan is a doubt with a heel injury.

Germany suffered from a World Cup hangover at the start of this qualifying campaign, losing in Poland and drawing at home to Ireland but they enter this match on the back of five consecutive qualification wins, with 19 goals scored in that period. Die Mannschaft need only a draw at the Aviva Stadium to be certain of clinching a place at next year’s finals in France.

Joachim Low has a healthy squad to pick from as Marco Reus is back in contention. Jerome Boateng and Mats Hummels will anchor the defence, with Emre Can and Jonas Hector operating in the full-back positions. Mesut Ozil, Mario Gotze and Thomas Muller will operate in the final third

These two teams shared a 1-1 draw when they met in Gelsenkirchen for last year’s reverse fixture. However, when the Germans last travelled to Dublin, they beat Trapattoni's Ireland 6-1. The Irish team only lost one of their last 17 European Championship Qualifiers, It was in this campaign when they lose 1-0 in Scotland. If Poland beat Scotland in their direct match, then Ireland will be guaranteed a play-off