Germany’s centre-forward Oliver Bierhoff believes the Republic of Ireland pose the biggest threat to his side in World Cup Group E.
The former Germany captain will hang up his international boots after this season's World Cup finals, and he sees the game against the Irish as one they must not lose.
Bierhoff hit a hat-trick in last week's 7-0 hammering of Kuwait and he is likely to get the nod from coach Rudi Voller for tonight's friendly against Wales in Cardiff.
But the former AC Milan striker, who spent the past season at Monaco, has already turned his attentions to Germany's World Cup opponents.
"The Irish team finished ahead of the Dutch to qualify so they will certainly be a threat," said Bierhoff, who has scored 36 goals in 63 games for his country.
"Cameroon will also be strong but Saudi Arabia will be the weakest side.
"The first game against the Saudis can be decisive though. We have to win it then we can play a lot calmer against Ireland.
"It is important not to lose that one."
Bierhoff is likely to line up alongside Kaiserslautern's Miroslav Klose at the Millennium Stadium as Voller seeks to find his first-choice front two.
Oliver Neuville's form with Champions League finalists Bayer Leverkusen means he is pretty much assured of a starting berth, while Bayern Munich's Carsten Jancker will battle it out with Bierhoff and Klose for the place alongside him in Japan and Korea.