North Ireland – Germany

Northern Ireland and Germany will square off in the last round of the Euro 2016 Group C. The Brits have 3 points and need at least a draw to stay in the qualifying race, while Germany has 4 points and is already virtually qualified (might be 100% qualified after Group B matches take place). But the Panzers, of course, will aim to finish top of the group.

Northern Ireland played a horrible match against Poland in the opening round, parking the bus and showing zero attacking threat, eventually losing 0-1. It wasn`t a surprise, they played very defensive in the qualies as well, are a defensive minded team and their only decent striker (Lafferty) is in the worst form of his career. However, the Brits looked different in the second match, a shock 2-0 victory over Ukraine. Sure, they didn`t have much possession, but counterattacking worked better and they had plenty of chances to score.

Germany was in shaky form entering Euro 2016 and it`s difficult to say they impressed so far. Yes, they did the job, but they are not quite at the level they showed when they won the World Cup 2 years ago. Germany wasn`t too solid at the back against Ukraine and was a bit fortunate to win 2-0, while Poland held them to a 0-0 draw in the second round. On the bright side, Germany showed improvement at the back against the Poles – the return of Hummels definitely had something to do with that.

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Team news & lineups:

Both teams are healthy and can field their best lineups, but Germany might choose to rest a couple of guys to avoid potential suspensions.

Northern Ireland: McGovern – Hughes, McAuley, Cathcart, Evans – McLaughlin, Baird, Davis, Norwood, Dallas – Washington

Germany: Neuer – Can, Hummels, Mustafi, Hector – Schweinsteiger, Kroos – Muller, Gotze, Draxler – Gomez

Northern Ireland was pretty good at playing reactive football against Ukraine, but in all honestly the Ukrainians should take a lot of the blame for that, as their defending was horrific. The British side is still one of the worst sides in the Euros, they qualified mostly because they had the easiest (ever) qualifying group and looked really poor against Poland.

Germany might not be the same side which won the World Cup, but they remain one of the title favorites and showed an ability to get the job done so far in these Euros. I can`t see them stumbling against this Northern Ireland side and I can`t see them allowing a goal from (arguably) the worst team in Euro 2016 as far as offense is concerned.

I expect a professional performance from Die Mannschaft, they will seek 3 points to put them at the top of the group and with Hummels back in the first 11 they should be able to keep Northern Ireland at bay. My tip is Germany to win to nil, but I can`t say that a 1.25 or 1.5 handicap are not good bets as well. Prediction: Northern Ireland – Germany 0-3.

Pick: Germany to win to nil
Odds: 1.80 @ Bwin
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 6.40
Event date: 21 June