Can Northern Ireland make History in Belfast?
The 2018 UEFA World Cup qualifying groups will be complete come the end of this international break and the teams have two matches left to secure their place in Russia or in the playoffs.
One of the real success stories in UEFA World Cup qualifying has been Northern Ireland. Having qualified for the European Championship in 2016, Northern Ireland have continued their excellent form in World Cup qualifying Group C.
However, they have been drawn in the same group as Germany and while the hosts have been able to beat Czech Republic and Norway at Windsor Park, this match against Germany will be their biggest test yet.
Northern Ireland come into this match in second place in the group having won 19 points from their eight games played. In many other groups this would be enough to top the group and possibly seal automatic qualification but with Germany in the game group, Northern Ireland know they need to win this match to stand any chance of overhauling the world champions.
Trends show Northern Ireland have won each of their last five matches, four of which have been World Cup qualifiers and the other was a 1-0 friendly win over New Zealand.
In the four World Cup qualifiers, Northern Ireland have defeated Norway and Czech Republic 2-0 at home and defeated Azerbaijan and San Marino 1-0 and 3-0 away from home respectively.
You must go back to a World Cup qualifier in September 2013 to find the last time Northern Ireland lost a competitive home match.
However, they are up against it in this game and Germany make the trip to Belfast sitting top of Group C having won all eight of their games.
The 2014 World Cup winners have scored 35 goals, over double the amount of Northern Ireland and conceded just twice, a record which is matched by Northern Ireland.
Since their 2-0 defeat by France at the 2016 European Championship, Germany have remained undefeated in seventeen games, including their success at the 2017 Confederations Cup.
Trends show Germany have suffered a total of two defeats in their World Cup qualifying history and both came at home, with the last being against England 16 years ago. They have won their last twelve away World Cup qualifying games and have played a total of forty-six games away from home in World Cup qualifying and never lost a match.
Team news and Northern Ireland have doubts over defender Aaron Hughes, who went off injured during his club match on Saturday. However, West Brom's Gareth McAuley is available again after missing the previous two qualifying games.
Germany will be without goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and midfielders Mesut Ozil and Sami Khedira who are all injured. Bayern Munich's Jerome Boateng and Manchester City's Leroy Sane have made the squad and will be hoping to start.
The reverse fixture between these teams ended 2-0 in Germany’s favour and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see a similar scoreline in this game. Northern Ireland have the organisation to make it difficult for the visitors but Germany have so much strength in depth. The visitors should make the breakthrough to claim a narrow away win by a single goal.
Home
Football 
Basketball
Hockey
American Football
Baseball
Rugby
Volleyball
Handball
Esoccer
