Germany have never failed in a World Cup qualifying campaign and the four-time champions will fully expect to cruise to North America for the 2026 Finals.
In contrast, Northern Ireland fans rarely get to see their side in the World Cup. The last time the minnows got to the competition was Mexico 1986 when they got housed in a tough group with Brazil and Spain.
Northern Ireland head to the RheinEnergieStadion in Cologne more in hope than expectation of getting anything from the trip. The hordes of Germans who will pack into the stadium will expect an emphatic home victory.
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Quality of opposition is the key to reading the formlines of these two teams. Germany have been facing top-class opponents, like Italy, Portugal and France, while Northern Ireland have been thriving against poor sides in the Nations League. Germany should outclass their visitors, but Northern Ireland can have high hopes of getting on the scoresheet. Northern Ireland have scored in their last seven games, so self-belief has grown among the Green and White Army.
If the West Ham forward is fit and healthy, everything positive Germany do should go through the happy Hammer. The 32-year-old beefcake will provide an intimidating presence for the Northern Ireland defence. Fullkrug was prolific in the Bundesliga before joining West Ham. Standing six feet and two inches, the Hanover-born striker is a huge goalscoring threat both in the air and on the ground.
Florian Wirtz
Perhaps the best supply line to Niclas Fullkrug will come from Liverpool star Florian Wirtz. The Reds captured the former Bayer Leverkusen man for a grand fee of £116m, underlining the size of his talent.
Wirtz limped off in the closing stages of Liverpool’s victory over Arsenal last Sunday, but he was not carrying a significant injury. It was merely cramp which forced the schemer off the pitch, as he adjusts to the furious pace of play in the Premier League.
Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann has said he intends to use Wirtz to the full in his side, so expect him to get plenty of minutes under his belt against Northern Ireland. He is a key player for both club and country.
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