Germany vs Northern Ireland: Lineups, Predictions & Betting Tips Predictions

Germany vs Northern Ireland Predictions, Lineups & Betting Tips

Match Details: Sep 7, 2025 | RheinEnergieStadion (Cologne) | FIFA World Cup Qualifier | 19:45 GMT

Germany’s World Cup qualifying campaign got off to the worst possible start with a shock 2-0 defeat in Slovakia, just their fourth loss in WCQ history and their first ever on the road. Julian Nagelsmann’s side are now under pressure, as only group winners qualify directly for the 2026 finals, while runners-up face the playoffs. That slip leaves Die Nationalmannschaft with little room for error.

Nagelsmann’s reign continues to be scrutinised. Since his appointment in September 2023, Germany have won only half of their 24 matches, losing the last three in a row , two in the Nations League before Thursday’s reverse. Conceding at least twice in every game this year highlights their defensive issues, while just five clean sheets in 17 outings tells its own story. Germany have not lost four straight matches for more than a century, making Cologne a must-win setting.

Northern Ireland arrive in high spirits after a 3-1 win away to Luxembourg, a result that stretched their unbeaten run in competitive internationals to five (W3, D2). Michael O’Neill’s return has breathed fresh life into the squad, with young talent emerging alongside experienced figures. They topped their Nations League group last year to open up a possible playoff route, but qualifying directly would be their dream, the Green and White Army haven’t appeared at a World Cup since 1986.

Still, the task is huge. Northern Ireland have lost their last nine meetings with Germany, including a 6-1 drubbing in their most recent trip, and haven’t scored more than once in the fixture since 1960. Their WCQ away record is mixed too (W4, D2, L5 across recent campaigns).

Key Betting Tip: Germany win & BTTS @ 3.00 odds (Coral) - This looks a great opportunity for Germany to bounce back but Northern Ireland are improving and may give their traveling support a goal to celebrate. Northern Ireland have scored in each of their last eight internationals.

Germany vs Northern Ireland Predicted Lineups

Germany Predicted XI: Baumann; Raum, Tah, Rudiger, Mittelstadt; Kimmich, Gross; Adeyemi, Wirtz, Gnabry; Woltemade.

Northern Ireland Predicted XI: Peacock-Farrell; Toal, McNair, Hume; Bradley, McCann, S. Charles, Devenny; Galbraith, Price; Reid

Last 5 H2H Results

19/11/19 Germany 6-1 NI (EURO Q) 09/09/19 NI 0-2 Germany (EURO Q) 05/10/17 NI 1-3 Germany (WCQ) 11/10/16 Germany 2-0 NI (WCQ) 21/06/16 NI 0-1 Germany (EURO 16)

Germany have won the last nine meetings with five of those victories coming within the last decade. Northern Ireland have scored just once in that time with Germany winning by a combined total of 14-1.

Germany Last 5 Matches:

Slovakia 2-0 Germany (WCQ) Germany 0-2 France (UNL) Germany 1-2 Portugal (UNL) Germany 3-3 Italy (UNL) Italy 1-2 Germany (UNL)

A worrying run of form for the Germans but they did at least reach the semi-finals of the Nations League, while their opponents on Sunday have just been promoted from League C of the competition, so there should be a gulf in class between the two.

Northern Ireland Last 5 Matches:

Luxembourg 1-3 NI (WCQ) NI 1-0 Iceland (FRI) Denmark 2-1 NI (FI) Sweden 5-1 NI (FI) NI 1-1 Switzerland (FI)

Northern Ireland seeks a third straight win but even an out of form Germany will be a huge step up in opposition compared to the likes of Luxembourg and Iceland.

Germany vs Northern Ireland Predictions

Betting odds of around 26.00 for the away side here tells its own story, this is a huge ask for Northern Ireland even with Germany's current struggles in mind. A home win is expected and required for underfire German coach Julian Nagelsmann.

Best Germany vs Northern Ireland Betting Tips

Football Park’s Best Bet: Germany -1 @ 1.36 odds (Betfred). Our team of in-house betting tipsters have predicted a comfortable German win in this fixture. Their superior ranking, home advantage, and head-to-head record justify confidence in this selection.

Key Players to Watch: Germany vs Northern Ireland

Niclas Füllkrug (Germany): Germany are unbeaten in his last four scoring appearances (W3, D1), all at home.

Serge Gnabry (Germany): The top scorer in the current Germany squad with 22 goals for his country.

Conor Bradley (Northern Ireland): Key defensively but also a threat going forward, with all three of his international goals coming away from home.

Germany vs Northern Ireland Match Facts

Referee: TBC

Broadcast Details:

UK: BBC NI/BBC iPlayer

Stadium Information: RheinEnergieStadion, formerly Müngersdorfer Stadion or Müngersdorfer Stadium, is a German football stadium in Cologne. It was built on the site of the two previous Müngersdorfer stadiums. It is the home of the local 1. Bundesliga team, 1. FC Köln and has a capacity of 50,000. The current stadium was opened on Jan 31, 2004.