Luxembourg vs Northern Ireland prediction: EUROPE: World Championship – Qualification betting tips on match 2025-09-03 18:45.
[p]FIFA World Cup qualifying (WCQ) finally gets underway in Group A as Luxembourg host Northern Ireland.[/p]
[p]Match News and Current Form[/p]
[p]Luxembourg’s bid to reach a first-ever major tournament has been rocked before it even started, as long-serving manager Luc Holtz resigned earlier this month amid controversy regarding Gerson Rodrigues’ selection following a conviction for assault and battery. His 15-year tenure therefore ends in disgrace, but foundations had been laid with Luxembourg winning more games in the last WCQ cycle (W3, L5) than ever before. Replacement Jeff Strasser may struggle to see the positives given their more recent struggles, with the Red Lions winning just one of their last 12 matches (D4, L7).[/p]
[p]Northern Ireland haven’t reached a World Cup since 1986, but having lost just four of their last 15 matches (W7, D4), there is a renewed hope that they can spring a shock to end that 40-year wait. Manager Michael O’Neill led them to Euro 2016 in his first stint, but WCQ outings have proven tough for a long time now, with their last 12 such matches yielding just two victories for the Green and White Army (D4, L6).[/p]
[p]Head-to-Head History[/p]
[p]Northern Ireland have won four of the previous seven H2Hs (D2, L1), scoring 2+ goals five times therein. Luxembourg emerged victorious on the only previous occasion they hosted Northern Ireland in WCQ action (3-2).[/p]
[p]Hot Stats and Streaks[/p]
[p]Only three of Luxembourg’s last 12 games saw both teams score.[/p]
[p]Just two of Luxembourg’s last 13 home matches ended level (W5, L6).[/p]
[p]Northern Ireland’s last nine wins were all accompanied by a clean sheet.[/p]
[p]Northern Ireland scored first in six of their last seven games (W3, D2, L1).[/p]
[p]Key Players to Watch and Missing Players[/p]
[p]Danel Sinani has directly contributed to three of Luxembourg’s last four goals (G1, A2), with both assists teeing up Seid Korać. Northern Ireland will turn to Isaac Price for inspiration as he’s been involved in eight goals in his last seven international appearances (G7, A1), while he’s had a hand in five strikes in as many matches for West Brom this term (G3, A2).[/p]
[p]Luxembourg are without brothers Vincent Thill and SĂ©bastien Thill, while Northern Ireland are missing goalkeepers Pierce Charles and Conor Hazard as well as defender Dan Ballard.[/p]
[p]For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.[/p]
[p]Betting Analysis[/p]
[p]This is the visitors’ most realistic chance of picking up three points away from home in Group A, so we recommend backing Northern Ireland to score first and win.[/p]
[p][i]Author: Ben Olawumi[/i][/p]