World champions Germany will be desperate to get back to winning ways when they host the Republic of Ireland in a Euro 2016 qualifier on Tuesday night after a surprise loss in Poland on Saturday.

Joachim Low's side were beaten 2-0 in Warsaw - their first ever defeat to Poland - and are now down in fourth place in Group D after two games.

It was the first time Germany had lost a European Championship qualifier since 2007 and Low may decide to shake up his starting lineup for the Irish visit.

Julian Draxler and Lukas Podolski both came off the bench against Poland and will be hoping to earn recalls to the starting XI.

As for Ireland, they hammered group minnows Gibraltar 7-0 in Dublin last night to sit just behind Poland on goal difference at the top of the pile with six points out of six.

Robbie Keane started as the only out-and-out striker against Gibraltar and scored a hat-trick inside the first 18 minutes. He should again lead the line in Gelsenkirchen and manager Martin O'Neill has little reason to make changes elsewhere.

If he starts, John O'Shea will make his 100th appearance for the Boys in Green.

Germany are on a 17-game unbeaten run in competitive matches at home and were also in Ireland's group for the latest World Cup qualifying fixtures in 2012 and 2013.

Low's side annihilated the Irish 6-1 in Dublin before easing to a 3-0 win in the reverse.

Recent form

Germany: WWWLWL

ROI: DDLWWW

Possible starting lineups

Germany: Neuer; Durm, Hummels, Boateng, Rudiger; Kroos, Kramer; Draxler, Gotze, Schurrle; Muller

ROI: Forde; Meyler, O'Shea, Wilson, Ward; Hendrick, Gibson, Hoolahan, McGeady, McClean; Keane

Sports Mole says: 2-0

Written by
Pascal Lemesre

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