The Republic of Ireland could be guaranteed a playoff place by the end of today if they match Scotland’s result at home to Poland. The only problem for Martin O’Neill’s men is that they face world champions Germany at the Aviva Stadium.
Ireland got a famous 1-1 draw away to Germany last year thanks to a dramatic injury time equaliser from John O’Shea in his 100th International appearance.
Since that game the Germans have won their next five group D qualifiers and only need a point in Dublin to secure automatic qualification.
The last time the Germans came to the Aviva three years they blew Ireland away with a 6-1 win. O’Neill will name his team before kick-off but it looks like there will be only three players included from that starting 11 in 2012 with John O’Shea, James McCarthy and Jon Walters all set to play.
O’Shea and Walters also started in Germany twelve months ago as did David Meyler who played right back in Gelsenkirchen. The Hull City midfielder is expected to start in his preferred role in the centre of the park tonight with Glenn Whelan suspended.
Whelan went off injured away to Germany and it was after that when Toni Kroos gave the Germans the lead so the Stoke midfielder will be a loss given all the unselfish work he does for the team.
Cyrus Christie is set to replace the injured Seamus Coleman just like he did away to Gibraltar last month and Richard Keogh is likely to come into central defence for the injured Marc Wilson. Keogh started away to Scotland earlier in the campaign and Martin O’Neill was at Derby last weekend to see Keogh, Christie and Jeff Hendrick in action. Hendrick set up O’Shea’s equaliser against Germany and he also produced the moment of magic to assist Jon Walter’s winner against Georgia.
Wes Hoolahan looks to have shaken off a heel injury but it’s hard to know how much of the ball the Norwich midfielder will see against Germany. 12 months ago Jogi Loew’s side enjoyed 63% possession and completed 531 of their 577 passes. Ireland only completed 204 passes with the 37% possession they had so the team shape will have to be spot on tonight.
It’s been a hectic few days for Robbie Keane with the birth of his second son and it’s unlikely the Irish captain will start. Shane Long could be given only his second start of the campaign up front and although he doesn’t have the same goal scoring record as Keane, his energy will keep the German defence on their toes.
Possible Ireland team: Given, Christie, O’Shea, Keogh, Brady, Meyler, McCarthy, Hendrick, Hoolahan, Walters, Long.
James McCarthy and Jonathan Walters are both one yellow card away from suspension but they can't have Sunday's game in Poland on their mind.
There will be a full house at the Aviva tonight so it’s important to get the crowd involved in the game which means don’t concede early. Germany are expected to win but that was also the case last year although they’re looking a lot more like world champions lately.
Loew said he won’t make too many changes from their 3-2 win over Scotland in Glasgow last month.
Germany team that beat Scotland: Neuer, Hector, Hummels, Schweinsteiger, Ozil, Muller, Can, Boateng, Kroos, Gotze, Gundogan.
Kick off at the Aviva Stadium is 7.45.
Scotland and Poland also start at 7.45 in Glasgow where a Polish win would guarantee Ireland a playoff spot regardless of what happens in Dublin.
Teams in third place: Turkey, Israel, Ukraine, Slovenia, Hungary, Sweden, Croatia and Albania.
