Northern Ireland to Take a Grip on Second Place
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Northern Ireland enjoyed a fantastic qualifying campaign for Euro 2016 and managed to progress to the Round of 16 in the tournament itself, which was a great achievement.
However, after enjoying themselves in France last summer, its back to reality and a tough World Cup qualifying campaign. Having been drawn with Germany, Czech Republic, Norway, Azerbaijan and San Marino in Group C, winning the group was always going to be a big ask.
Germany are so strong and having won their four games, including a 2-0 win over Northern Ireland in Hannover, a 3-0 win over Czech Republic in Hamburg and a 3-0 win over Norway in Oslo, the Germans have taken control of the group. This leaves Northern Ireland to battle it out for second place, along with Czech Republic and possibly Azerbaijan.
The Norwegians travel to Belfast with a lot of work to do, if they are to get themselves in contention for second place. It has been a poor start to their 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign which was underlined by their 1-0 defeat in Azerbaijan.
However, the Norwegian team put in a better performance in their 2-1 defeat to Czech Republic, although their goal came too late in the game to stage a comeback. Furthermore, Norway became the attention of European football when they hosted San Marino, as the visitors levelled things up on 54 minutes and Norway were struggling to break them down.
Thankfully for the Norwegians, they managed to break through and take the lead on 77 minutes and added two more goals to make it 4-1 at the final whistle. The result does not tell the story of what was a night of panic in Oslo.
Given Norway’s poor start to the group, Michael O’Neill will see this match as an opportunity to claim maximum points and put distance between themselves and Norway. With Czech Republic facing San Marino, they are sure to pick up maximum points, so Northern Ireland will want to match them and remain two points clear come the end of the night.
Northern Ireland’s home record in competitive games is excellent. They are undefeated in their last seven home games and this is a sign of just how tough they are to beat. In addition, Northern Ireland have lost only one of their last ten qualifying matches, which was in Germany earlier in the current campaign.
Norway have been struggling and have won just one of their last seven competitive matches, which was the 4-1 victory over the minnows of San Marino. They have failed to win any of their last seven away matches, whether it be friendlies or competitive matches and will have to raise their game, if they are to take anything from this match.
Northern Ireland must come into this match as favourites. When they win, they don’t tend to be spectacular but with good organisation and a game plan that works, they should have enough to defeat Norway. It won’t be by much, maybe a single goal but expect Northern Ireland to pick up the win.
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