Euro 2016 Group C: Germany to be too strong for determined Northern Ireland
Published:
Sam Barnard, Assistant Sports Editor | June 19, 2016
Northern Ireland v Germany
- Euro 2016 Group C
- Tuesday, June 21st
- Kick-off: 17:00 BST
- Parc des Princes, Paris
- Live on BBC One
Germans out to claim group top spot
World champions Germany have won each of their last four games against Northern Ireland, and in three of those the match produced four or more goals. Therefore, back Die Mannschaft to triumph and there to be over 3.5 strikes once more at awesome 11/5 odds with Coral.
Ahead of the final round of the Euro 2016 group stage fixtures, the Green and White Army were the top third-placed team, though perhaps need a point to ensure they progress to the last 16. A draw is priced at 9/2.
However, while Northern Ireland put in a fantastic display to beat Ukraine 2-0 last time out and lost just 1-0 to Poland, Germany are the heavy 2/7 favourites for victory.
Joachim Low’s men will be extra fired up for this encounter as they hope to secure first place in Group C, and you can back them at 17/5 to smash in four or more goals at the Parc des Princes, as they have done against this opposition in their last two duels.
Germany must find goals again soon
Surprisingly, though, no German attacker has found the net at these finals in their opening two fixtures, as Shkodran Mustafi and Bastian Schweinsteiger scored against Ukraine while they battled out a 0-0 draw with rivals Poland.
That means, the likes of Thomas Muller, Mario Gomez and Mario Gotze will be desperately hoping to break their ducks in France, and are respective 8/11, 10/11 and 11/10 chances to strike anytime.
The last time these two nations faced each other, meanwhile, was in 2005 in a 4-0 win for Die Mannschaft, and Lukas Podolski netted last. The Galatasaray forward is still in the squad over a decade later, so is 5/1 to round off the scoring again – most likely from off the bench.
Germany may not have looked their usual dominant best at Euro 2016, but have still claimed two clean sheets from their opening fixtures. They are 5/6 to win to nil, therefore.
Can Norn Iron claim another shock?
As for the Northern Irish, they have already achieved more than many expected, by claiming three points, and if you fancy them to double their tally and assure progression to the knockout phase then their odds of 12/1 look very tasty.
The Green and White Army have not beaten the Germans since they did the double over them in European Championship qualifying ahead of the 1984 finals, although they ended up not qualifying.
A young Norman Whiteside was the match winner in the latter victory in Germany, and a similar Norn Iron cult hero in Kyle Lafferty will be hoping to do the impossible again. The Norwich City-owned striker is 5/1 in the anytime market.
Aberdeen attacker Niall McGinn and veteran centre back Gareth McAuley got the goals against Ukraine, meanwhile, and are respective 8/1 and 16/1 shouts to be on target again.
Others aiming to find the net include forwards Conor Washington, Will Grigg (both 5/1), Jamie Ward and Josh Magennis (both 6/1).
Related
Coral’s top tip: Back Germany to win and there to be over 3.5 total match goals at 11/5.
