Slovakia vs Northern Ireland prediction: EUROPE: World Cup – Qualification betting tips on match 2025-11-13 19:45.
[p]Slovakia will guarantee a place in the top two in 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Group A, while keeping the pressure on leaders Germany, if they beat Northern Ireland in Košice.[/p]
[p]Match News and Current Form[/p]
[p]After losing 2-0 in Northern Ireland to drop points for the first time in this campaign on matchday three, Slovakia returned to winning ways by seeing off Luxembourg last month. That result means that the Falcons begin this round of fixtures level on points with pacesetters Germany and just two goals behind them, with the teams facing off in Leipzig to conclude the group next Monday after Francesco Calzona’s men defeated the four-time winners of the tournament 2-0 in September. A big victory here could therefore give Slovakia’s automatic qualifying hopes a real boost, as they look to extend their unbeaten home run to eight games (W5, D2).[/p]
[p]Although Northern Ireland beat Luxembourg 3-1 away last month, that is their only win on the road in their last eight such internationals (D2, L5), meaning they must avoid defeat at the Košická futbalová aréna if they are to keep their dreams of a top-two finish in the group alive. So far in this qualifying campaign, the Green and White Army have lost both their fixtures against Germany, but have recorded victories in the other two, while a win on Friday night would see them move above their opponents and maintain their hopes of qualifying for a first World Cup since 1986.[/p]
[p]Head-to-Head History[/p]
[p]Northern Ireland won the meeting last month, but Slovakia have won three of the six H2Hs overall (D1, L2) and have gone unbeaten in both home fixtures.[/p]
[p]Hot Stats and Streaks[/p]
[p]Slovakia have kept a clean sheet in each of their last four home games (W3, D1).[/p]
[p]All four of Slovakia’s qualifiers in this campaign have seen only one team score on the day.[/p]
[p]There have been 4+ goals in four of Northern Ireland’s last five away matches.[/p]
[p]Northern Ireland have scored before half-time in each of their last three games as the visitors.[/p]
[p]Key Players to Watch and Missing Players[/p]
[p]Dávid Hancko has contributed to a goal in each of his last three home World Cup qualifiers for Slovakia (G1, A2), while Justin Devenny has two goal involvements in this campaign for Northern Ireland (G1, A1) – both of which have come away from home. [/p]
[p]Ondrej Duda is suspended for Slovakia as is Ethan Galbraith for Northern Ireland, who also will be without Brodie Spencer, Shea Charles and Ali McCann through injury. [/p]
[p]For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre[/p]
[p]Betting Analysis[/p]
[p]Slovakia are very solid in defence at home and have not been beaten as hosts since March last year, so we recommend backing a home victory with a clean sheet.[/p]
[p][i]Author: Tom Penn[/i][/p]