Europe WC 2026 Qualifications Europe, 12-14 October

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Northern Ireland vs Germany Preview:

Possible starting lineups:

Northern Ireland:
Peacock-Farrell; Hume, McNair, Toal; Spencer, McCann, S. Charles, Devenny; Galbraith, Price; Reid

Germany:
Baumann; Kimmich, Anton, Tah, Raum; Pavlovic, Goretzka; Adeyemi, Gnabry, Wirtz; Woltemade

Northern Ireland and Germany will play the most interesting match of World Cup qualifications on Monday night. The two teams share the top of Group A with six points after the opening three fixtures. Northern Ireland started with a 3:1 win at Luxembourg, while then lost with the same result in Germany. Three days ago they beat 2:0 Slovakia, producing a super performance at Windsor Park. Patrik Hrosovsky turned the ball into his own net from Ethan Galbraith's cross to open the scoring on 18 minutes. Northern Ireland continued to press and Jamie Reid missed a clear opportunity to double their lead and then had a goal disallowed in the second half. However, the hosts managed to score the second goal through Trai Hume in the 81st minute, his first international goal. Coach Michael O'Neill said his side were "excellent" in this match and particularly praised the captain Conor Bradley for being the catalyst, mainly down the right side. The only upset on a positive night was that 22-year-old Liverpool defender picked up the yellow card for a foul that will rule him out of this match. His absence is a big handicap. First-choice goalkeeper Pierce Charles remains sidelined due to a shoulder injury.

As usual, Germany were huge favorites to finish first in their group. And maybe they will ultimately secure a ticket for the final tournament in United States, Canada and Mexico next summer, but not as easy as expected. Coach Julian Nagelsmann is already under big pressure and three points from this match are obligated. Germany must finish first in the group, because only the winners of each group will advance directly to America. So far they have two wins and one defeat. Die Mannschaft beat Northern Ireland 3:1 in the reverse fixture, as well as Luxembourg with 4:0. In the meantime they suffered a 2:0 defeat in Slovakia, losing an away World Cup qualifier for the very first time in their long history. Nagelsmann is well aware another defeat would be a catastrophe, but he has some injury worries ahead of trip to Belfast. Four players are long-term victims - Kai Havertz, Jamal Musiala, Antonio Rudiger and goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen. In addition, Niclas Fullkrug is doubtful due to a calf injury. But there is another type of problem for German national team. The main creative Fabian Wirtz is struggling with form since his move to Liverpool.

Northern Ireland vs Germany Prediction:

Germany must collect three points in Belfast. They are guests, but play on familiar ground, where they have won on all of their three previous matches this century, with a 9:2 aggregate scoreline. Northern Ireland will try to upset the favorites and they have a chance. The atmosphere in the squad is excellent after the victory against Slovakia three days ago. However, Germany are quality side with lot of experienced players. Simply, they are class above other teams in the group. To be more complicated for O'Neill, key player and captain Conor Bradley is sidelined due to suspension. Germany should win the match, perhaps with two goals.

Northern Ireland vs Germany Pick: Germany -1.5 AH @ 1.93 with Pinnacle

 

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Italy vs Israel Preview:

Possible starting lineups:

Italy:
Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Mancini, Calafiori, Dimarco; Cambiaso, Barella, Tonali, Spinazzola; Raspadori, Retegui

Israel:
Da. Peretz; Dasa, Baltaxa, Nachmias, Revivo; Abu Fani, E. Peretz; Khalaily, Gloukh, Solomon; Baribo

Italy will welcome Israel to Udine where the stadium only holds 6,000 spectators for security reasons. According to Police sources, it is expected a big number of pro-Palestinian protesters outside the football stadium in Udine. Protesters already approached the gates of Italy’s training centre in Florence last week to demand that the match not be played because of the war in Gaza. However, huge number of policemen will patrol through the city to prevent escalations. About the sports aspect of the game, this is a very important match for both national teams. The Azzurri are second in Group I with 12 points, while Israel have nine. Norway have already secured the top of the group, while Italy and Israel will fight for second place. On Saturday Italy beat Estonia with 3:1 thanks to goals scored by Moise Kean, Matteo Retegui and Francesco Esposito. Coach Gennaro Gattuso could be satisfied with the result, but not completely. Kean suffered an ankle injury and won't play here, while Alessandro Bastoni picked up a yellow card and now must serve a suspension. Gattuso is already without Gianluca Scamacca, Matteo Politano and Mattia Zaccagni due to injury.

Israel are battling for the second place in the group and this is a "Do or Die" match for them. They managed to beat Estonia home and away, as well as Moldova, but lost twice to Norway and once to Italy. The reverse fixture with Azzurri played in Hungary was a "crazy" match with nine goals, that ultimately finished 5:4 for Italy. Israel led 1:0 and 2:1, before Italy moved 4:2 ahead and looked on course for a victory. However, Israel scored in the 87th and 89th minutes to make it 4:4, before Tonali netted a winner in the 91st minute. It was a catastrophe, some players were in tears. On Saturday Israel suffered another painful defeat, they lost 5:0 to Norway. Israel are now trailing Italy by three points - having played one more game and with an inferior goal difference. Coach Shimon has a tough job to motivate the players and to try to win here. Even a point isn't good enough for his national team. The absence of Dor Peretz, who scored a brace against Italy in September is a huge handicap. Israel failed to score in Norway, so Shimon could make some changes in attack. Tai Baribo and Dor Turgeman are ready to improve the attacking performances.

Italy vs Israel Prediction:

Israel are still in the run for the second place in the group I and they must go for a victory. Coach Ran Ben Shimon has only one option and that's attack. Every other result, including draw, is not good enough. But Shimon has a big problem in defense. They conceded five goals at Norway three days ago and five from Italy in September. I already wrote Italy won 5:4. It is too much to expect nine again, but at least four should be scored.

Italy vs Israel Pick: Over 3.5 goals @ 2.02 with Pinnacle