Germany v Rep of Ireland: Both teams to find the net in vital encounter

The world champions might not have it all their own way when the Rep of Ireland visit on Tuesday night

Rep of Ireland are expecting a backlash after Germany lost in Poland on Saturday night, but given the many changes to personnel in Joachim Loew's side Daniel McDonnell expects the Irish to make a game of it...

Germany v Rep of Ireland
Tuesday, 19:45
Live on Sky Sports

Match Odds - Germany 1.292/7, Ireland 14.013/1, Draw 6.25/1

After finding Gibraltar to be even worse than they could have imagined, Ireland face a dramatically different assignment in Germany on Tuesday evening.

A seven goal win over the underdogs was enjoyable for the attackers in the Irish ranks yet the minnows were so poor that any confidence boost would be in danger of misleading.

What Ireland certainly did not expect was to be facing a Germany side coming off the back of a defeat. However, their shock reverse to Poland on Saturday has already provided the first twist in a group that was supposed to be steamrolled by the Germans with the Poles, Scotland and Rep of Ireland fighting it for second.

Martin O'Neill did not want Germany to drop points in any other games. Now, Poland have a bonus three points, and Joachim Loew's charges will have extra motivation to put in a commanding display on home turf.

They are feelings the effects of personnal changes. Philipp Lahm, Per Mertesacker and Miroslav Klose have retired, while Sami Khedira, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Mesut Ozil and Marco Reus are part of a lengthy injury list.

Defensively, they are going through a period of transition, with real concern about their shortage of natural full back options, and Ireland will seek to exploit that. Unfortunately, Ireland are without Seamus Coleman and don't have a specialised right back to replace him. Germany also have the pace to trouble John O'Shea and Marc Wilson.

It's easy to see O'Neill sending out a charged up side that is capable of making this a contest. But the odds on a German win are about right given the absence of real defensive steel in this Irish party on all known evidence. Germany missed a ton of chances in Poland; they are unlikely to make the same mistake twice.

Under/Over 2.5 Goals

The 'overs' are a clear favourite in this market and understandably so given that the Germans knocked a total of nine goals past Ireland in the previous campaign 6-1 and 3-05/1. And, they don't necessarily have the best defence in the world as their performance in Warsaw suggested.

The trading price of 1.695/7 is still attractive enough to invest a few quid in however as it would be a surprise if these teams ended up cancelling each other out. O'Neill has made it clear that Ireland will not go out and park the bus.

Both Teams To Score

It would be a huge surprise if Germany didn't hit the target in this match. So, in reality, this market is built around whether they will keep a clean sheet or not. With a makeshift rearguard, it is extremely hard to trust them. A year ago, Ireland wasted chances against a stronger German side on the break and if they utilise the pace of Shane Long there will be opportunities.

Aiden McGeady and James McClean are positive wingers who could both start - or else the latter will be sprung from the bench - and they will keep going even if the game is out of sight. The 2.26/5 about both teams scoring is attractive.

Recommended Bets
Back Both Teams to Score @ 2.26/5
Back Over 2.5 Goals @ 1.695/7