Prediction and odds for the game: Northern Ireland (7/4) vs Slovakia (9/5)

We are backing the home win

When: Thursday, 12th November 2020, Kick-off 19:45

Where: Windsor Park

On Thursday night, Northern Ireland and Slovakia go head-to-head at Windsor Park for a place at Euro 2021.

Northern Ireland

The home side head into this clash of a woeful run of international games. Ian Baraclough’s team has won just one of their last ten international outings in 90 minutes while failing to win in seven outings. A 1-0 defeat in Norway last time out means that Northern Ireland have lost three of their previous four matches.

However, in-between those defeats was a penalty victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina in the play-off semi-finals. The game finished 1-1 after normal and extra-time, but Northern Ireland came out on top in the penalty shootout.

The game finishing 1-1 in Bosnia means that Northern Ireland have now failed to win any of their previous five qualifiers for the European Championships, suffering three defeats in the process. However, they still secured qualification for the semi-finals.

One positive for Northern Ireland of late has been that they have been so difficult to beat at Windsor Park in qualifying for the European Championships, losing just once in their previous nine qualifiers on home soil. Their recent home qualifiers have been low-scoring though, as there have been under 2.5 goals scored in five of their last seven matches.

Slovakia

Like their hosts, Slovakia have struggled for any sort of form of late in international football. They have failed to win in their previous five international matches heading into this clash. A 3-2 home defeat against Israel last time out means they have lost back-to-back matches.

Another similarity to the hosts is that Slovakia needed penalty kicks to set up this clash. The visitors recorded a spot-kick victory over the Republic of Ireland to seal their place in this final play-off.

The visitors have a mixed recent record in European Championship qualifying, winning just two of their previous five qualifiers for the continents major international tournament. However, they have also lost just one of their previous five qualifiers too.

Slovakia’s recent away record in qualifying of late could not be more inconsistent, as they have won three and lost three of their previous six qualifiers on their travels. Their recent away qualifiers have at least had one consistency and that’s goals, as four of their last five matches have produced over 2.5 goals.

Conclusion

Neither team head into this clash in great form and it is likely to be a tight encounter. However, we favour the home side, as they are difficult opponents on home soil, so we are backing the home win. We also believe that this clash will be a tight one, therefore the other bet we are recommending is under 2.5 goals scored.

Verdict: We are backing the home win at odds of 7/4 and/or under 2.5 goals scored at odds of 4/9. (All odds are taken from Bet365).

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