NORTHERN Ireland are back in Euro 2020 qualifying action on Monday night with a tough contest against Germany on the cards. Anthony Olsson (@Ant_olsson93) is on-hand to lend his betting views.
Northern Ireland v Germany | Monday 9th September 2019, 19:45 | Sky Sports
Monday night sees Northern Ireland take on Germany at Windsor Park in what is sure to be the toughest match of the hosts qualifying campaign. Norn Iron sit atop of their group on 12 points, three ahead of Monday night’s visitors.
It’s a huge opportunity for the Irish to take a big step towards Euro 2020 and the home crowd will be right behind their team. Northern Ireland’s four wins in the pool have come against lower-ranked opposition and they haven’t beaten anyone currently ranked above them since their 2-0 triumph over Ukraine in Euro 2016.
Heavyweights, Germany, come into the game off the back of a 4-2 home defeat to the Netherlands and they’ll be looking to bounce back with a win in a match where they are heavy favourites at 3/10. It’s hard to say that Germany have struggled since their shock early exit at the 2018 World Cup last year, but they have definitely found it harder against the big sides.
On paper this should be a pretty routine victory for the Die Mannschaft, but they will be going up against a spirited a well organised Northern Ireland side who have the upper hand in the group.
Germany are currently on an unbeaten run in this fixture that stretches back to 1996 when the two sides played out a 1-1 draw. Northern Ireland will hope that they can produce that performance again, but history will not be on their side. They haven’t drawn a game at home in their previous 11 and I think, despite their best efforts, they will fall short again.
The game to be a draw at Half-Time and Germany to win at Full-Time is priced at 33/10 (Marathon) and I think this a good angle with Northern Ireland looking to make it difficult for the visitors early on.
Northern Ireland aren’t the biggest goalscoring side having only managed seven goals so far this campaign, but they have only conceded twice in that time. Germany to win and Under 2.5 Goals looks an inviting bet at 13/5 with Boylesports.
Another angle I like is in the cards market. Northern Ireland striker Josh Magennis, is priced at 5/1 (Betfair) to be shown a card in. Now this bet does come with a warning as Magennis might not start the match with Connor Washington likely to get the role up top if he is over his back injury.
However, Magennis will surely see some action and he can find his way into the referee’s notebook pretty well judging on past exploits. Magennis picked up seven yellow cards in 42 games last season and has started this campaign with a red card in his last match for his club. He also picked up a yellow card in the friendly match against Luxembourg. It’s a bet that has its pitfalls if Magennis doesn’t get a good run out but at 5/1 I’d be prepared to back it.
Best Bets
Northern Ireland v Germany – Germany to win and Under 2.5 Goals (13/5 Boylesports)
Northern Ireland v Germany – Draw/Germany (33/10 Marathon)
Northern Ireland v Germany – Josh Magennis to be shown a card (5/1 Betfair)
