Group D: Germany v Slovakia:Republic of Ireland manager Steve Staunton will eagerly await the result of this pivotal Group D clash in the knowledge that victory for Germany will effectivly make this a three-horse race to reach the finals next summer.
Germany beat San Marino 6-0 last Saturday to move two points clear of the Czech Republic, who drew 0-0 with Wales in Cardiff on Saturday, and three ahead of Ireland with a game in hand on both.
Despite the emphatic scoreline it was not the most convincing of wins. It was only in the final minute of the first half that Germany broke the deadlock against a side they beat 13-0 in September.
Staunton's team resume competitive action in September when they travel to play Slovakia and the Czech Republic in a double-header over the space of five days.
Staunton was in Cardiff on Saturday and said afterwards: "I thought Wales were unlucky and it shows just how tough this group is. People will say that it is a good result for us but it only becomes a good result if we do our stuff at home and away in our remaining games."
A nagging doubt about the form of Miroslav Klose will be the only concern for Germany coach Joachim Loew. Klose looked out of touch, as he did over the closing weeks of the season for Werder Bremen, while strike partner Kevin Kuranyi was not much better.
The gloss on the scoreline came from Mario Gomez, who came off the bench to score twice in the second half.
Despite his dazzling display, Loew has promised to keep faith with Klose. If Klose can rediscover anything like the form he showed when finishing top scorer at the World Cup last year Germany should have few problems seeing off Slovakia, who are in fourth place in the group, seven points behind them.
Germany beat Slovakia 4-1 in Bratislava in October and even though all their goalscorers from that night are injured - Michael Ballack, Lukas Podolski and Bastian Schweinsteiger - Loew is optimistic.
"Slovakia will be a very defensive opponent, just as San Marino were," Loew said. "We need to take our chances and be more determined and I'm sure we can do that."
Slovakia's hopes of getting back into contention for a place in the finals in Switzerland and Austria have been hit by the absence of Marek Mintal after the striker was injured playing in Nuremberg's German Cup final win over Stuttgart.
The Slovaks will also be without Nuremberg midfielder Vratislav Gresko, Saturn Moscow striker Martin Jakubko, Porto defender Marek Cech, Glasgow Rangers striker Filip Sebo and Slovan Liberec defender Peter Singlar.
The winner and runner-up from each of the seven qualifying groups will advance directly into the finals from June 7th-29th, 2008.
PROBABLE LINE-UPS
GERMANY: Lehmann; Lahm, Mertesacker, Metzelder, Jansen; Fritz, Frings, Schneider, Hitzlsperger; Klose, Kuranyi.
SLOVAKIA: Contofalsky; Durica, Michalik, Skrtel, Klimpl; Svento, Sapara, Borbely, Krajcik; Vittek, Sestach.
