The Republic of Ireland will be hoping to continue their two-year unbeaten home run when they take on Germany in their 2014 World Cup qualifier this evening.

The away side currently top the qualifying group with six points and the Euro 2012 quarter-finalists head into tonight's clash on the back of two victories over the Faroe Islands and Austria.

Meanwhile, Giovanni Trapattoni's men will be eager to build on their victory over Kazakhstan as Sunderland's John O'Shea prepares to lead out his team at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

Trapattoni suffered a blow to his selection plans yesterday after it was confirmed that striker Robbie Keane would play no part in the match due to an Achilles injury, while Glenn Whelan and Kevin Doyle were already out of contention for a starting spot.

Stoke City forward Jonathan Walters has been chosen to lead the line alongside Nottingham Forest's Simon Cox.

Meanwhile, German boss Joachim Low could start Miroslav Klose up front due to injury concerns for Lukas Podolski, while Real Madrid's Mesut Ozil is expected to provide support to the frontman.

Current form:

Republic of Ireland: LLDWW
Germany: WLLWW

Possible lineups:

Republic of Ireland: Westwood; Coleman, O'Shea, O'Dea, Ward; McCarthy, Andrews, Fahey, McGeady; Walters, Cox

Germany: Neuer; Boateng, Howedes, Badstuber, Schmelzer; Khedira, Kroos; Muller, Ozil, Reus; Klose

Sports Mole says: 0-2

Previews by email