Northern Ireland vs Slovakia prediction: EUROPE: World Cup – Qualification betting tips on match 2025-10-09 18:45.
[p]In a group also containing Germany, Northern Ireland and Slovakia are looking to build on their strong starts to this FIFA World Cup qualification cycle (WCQ) when they face off in Belfast.[/p]
[p]Match News and Current Form[/p]
[p]Despite their squad being “stretched” in the September international break according to boss Michael O’Neill, Northern Ireland still made a respectable start (W1, L1), setting them up nicely for the rest of the campaign as they look to reach a first World Cup since 1986. The Green and White Army welcome back a number of players for this round of internationals which contains two crucial home games, the second of which comes against Germany, and the hosts should have a measure of confidence having gone unbeaten across their last seven games on their own turf (W6, D1).[/p]
[p]A buoyant Slovakia ended a long-standing WCQ record in this cycle, becoming the first home side to ever beat Germany in this sphere (2-0) before beating Luxembourg 1-0 last time out. That latest result, which came despite being outplayed throughout, ended a four-match losing streak on their travels, and placed the Falcons at the summit of Group A after two qualifiers. Backing those results up with two further victories in this window would give Francesco Calzona’s men a huge chance of reaching the World Cup for the first time since 2010, which serves as their only qualification as an independent nation.[/p]
[p]Head-to-Head History[/p]
[p]Since winning the first-ever meeting back in March 1998, Northern Ireland have failed to beat Slovakia (D1, L3). Slovakia have won all three competitive H2Hs, scoring exactly twice each time.[/p]
[p]Hot Stats and Streaks[/p]
[p]Northern Ireland’s last seven home wins have been accompanied by a clean sheet.[/p]
[p]Five of Northern Ireland’s last seven games produced over 2.5 goals.[/p]
[p]Just one of Slovakia’s last seven matches saw both teams score.[/p]
[p]Slovakia have lost only one of their last six WCQ away games (W2, D3).[/p]
[p]Key Players to Watch and Missing Players[/p]
[p]Aged 35, Josh Magennis has been recalled to the Northern Ireland squad for the first time since November after netting four times for club side Exeter this season – his last three international goals all came on home soil in wins. David Strelec inspired Slovakia’s win over Germany (G1, A1), taking his goal involvement tally to six in his last seven competitive internationals (G5, A1).[/p]
[p]Northern Ireland are still missing first-choice goalkeeper Pierce Charles due to a shoulder injury, while Slovakia are without defender Denis Vavro and key midfielder Stanislav Lobotka in this window.[/p]
[p]For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.[/p]
[p]Betting Analysis[/p]
[p]Backing Northern Ireland to win outright could be the smart choice given their brilliant recent home record.[/p]
[p][i]Author: Ryan Fisher[/i][/p]