PREVIEW: WC Qualifier - Republic of Ireland v Germany

FOOTBALL - Click Read More to see some key facts concerning Friday’s World  Cup qualifier between Republic of Ireland and Germany.

> Germany are unbeaten in three competitive matches against the Republic of Ireland (2 European Championship Qualifiers and one during the 2002 World Cup, 1W – 2D – 0L). Ireland played one of these matches at home, drawing 0-0 in a ECQ match in October 2007.

> Robbie Keane has now scored 12 goals for Ireland in WCQ matches.

> Germany have managed to qualify in all the WCQ competitions in which they competed. In 1954 and 1990 they went on to claim the World Cup. Their 1974 WC win was in Germany, a tournament for which they did not have to qualify.

> Miroslav Klose needs four more goals to equal Gerd Müller as all-time top scorer of the German national football team. Between 1966 and 1974 he scored 68 goals in 62 matches.

> Germany are unbeaten in their last 15 WCQ matches. Their last defeat was on 1 September 2001 at home against England: 1-5. This is also the biggest home defeat for Germany in WCQ matches.