Northern Ireland vs Greece Prediction and Preview – 08/10/15
Euro 2016 preview – Northern Ireland vs Greece prediction
Northern Ireland have three players unavailable due to suspension for the visit of Greece and they are Chris Baird, Conor McLaughlin and Kyle Lafferty. Defender Jonny Evens is also a doubt but Gareth McAuley, Chris Brunt and Aaron Hughes should all be available for selection.
Greece also have suspension concerns, with defender Kostas Manolas being forced to sit this one out. Kyriakos Papadopoulos also misses out due to injury.
Possible Line-ups
Northern Ireland 4-5-1 formation: McGovern; Hughes, Cathcart, McAuley, Brunt; Dallas, Baird, C Evans, Davis, Norwood; Ward
Greece: 4-2-3-1 formation: Karnezis; Torsidis, Papastathopoulos, Moras, Holebas; Kone, Samaris; Tachtsidis, Tziolis, Fortounis; Mitroglou
Statistics
- Northern Ireland have won 5, drawn 3 and lost 2 of their last 10 matches
- Greece have drawn 4 and lost 6 of their last 10 matches
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Northern Ireland have scored an average of 1.3 goals and conceded an average of 0.8 goals per game
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Greece have scored an average of 0.2 goals and conceded an average of 1 goal per game
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 3 of Northern Ireland’s previous 10 matches
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 1 of Greece’s previous 10 matches
Prediction
Northern Ireland have lost just 1 of their last 8 competitive matches and are unbeaten in their last 5, including friendlies. Form in this European qualifying campaign has been excellent, with wins in Hungary, Greece and at home to Finland. The previous home match against Hungary was a bit of disappointment however, as it took a late goal to rescue a point and leave Northern Ireland still needing a victory to secure qualification for Euro 2016.
Greece have endured a torrid campaign and are yet to record a single victory having played 8 games. The real set-backs came against the Faroe Islands, losing both the home and away games to a team currently 85th in the world rankings and the Greeks find themselves bottom of the group with just 3 points. They have managed to score just 2 goals in 8 games and have conceded, on average, a goal per game. That being said, they have managed to pick up a point at Romania and Hungary during the qualification campaign.
Given the way Greece have played during this qualification process, Northern Ireland have to be considered favourites. However, with a few players missing and Greece having picked up a point in Romania recently, this could end in a low scoring draw.
Tips
Under 2.5 goals at 1/3 – Click here to bet with Bet365
Draw at 19/10 – Click here to bet with Bet365
1-1 final score at 5/1 – Click here to bet with Bet365
What are your predictions?
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