Northern Ireland vs Azerbaijan Prediction, Betting Tips and Preview
Northern Ireland entertain Azerbaijan in World Cup qualifying Group C this Friday. Read the match predictions to find out why a draw is the betting tip at Windsor Park. Northern Ireland went down 0-2 away to Germany last time out while Azerbaijan played a 0-0 draw away to Czech Republic.
Northern Ireland vs Azerbaijan Preview
Northern Ireland welcome back Chris Brunt to the international fold after his impressive form for West Brom. Michael O’Neill had Stuart Dallas and Jamie Ward withdraw from his squad earlier this week because of injury and has added Ross County striker Liam Boyce to the group in Belfast. QPR forward Conor Washington missed training on Thursday and will be assessed.
Azerbaijan have called up Bursaspor striker Deniz Yilmaz gets at the age of 28. He will join 20 year old Trabzonspor forward Ramil Sheydayev, who could gain his fourth cap against Northern Ireland. The concern is that there are only 2 international goals between the four strikers in the squad, so it may be wise to look at the midfield for goalscorer bets.
Team Predictions Northern Ireland vs Azerbaijan
Northern Ireland 4-4-1-1 formation: McGovern; Ferguson, Evans, McAuley, Hughes; Brunt, Davis, Norwood, Evans; Lafferty; Magennis
Azerbaijan 4-5-1 formation: Agayev; Dasdemirov, Huseynov, Medvedev, Mirzebeyov; Qurbanov, Nazarov, Qarayev, Olesgarov, Omerquiliyev, Olesgerov; Sheydayev
Northern Ireland vs Azerbaijan Betting Tips
- Northern Ireland have won 4 drawn 2 and lost 4 of their last 10 matches
- Azerbaijan have won 3 drawn 3 and lost 4 of their last 10 matches
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Northern Ireland have scored an average of 1.0 goals and conceded an average of 0.5 goals per game
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Azerbaijan have scored an average of 0.7 goals and conceded an average of 1.1 goals per game
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 2 of Northern Ireland’s previous 10 matches
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 3 of Azerbaijan’s previous 10 matches
Northern Ireland vs Azerbaijan Prediction
Northern Ireland will have great belief that they can make it to the finals in Russia, having qualified for Euro 2016 where they gave a good account for themselves. Once again, Michael O’Neill has used a solid defensive platform to try and grind out wins but it’s been a mixed bag of results so far. North Iron played out a 0-0 draw away to Czech republic in the opening match and then won 4-0 at home to San Marino before the defeat in Germany.
Azerbaijan are another side that use a cautious approach. Robert Prosinečki’s men edged San Marino 1-0 away and won by the same scoreline at home to Norway before drawing away to Czech Republic. Milli aren’t exactly setting the group alight but the fact remains that they are yet to concede a goal and remain unbeaten thus far.
A glance at recent results suggests this won’t be a goal-fest, so it’s probably best to play Under 2.5 goals. This could develop into a tactical duel and I think with both sides having strength in defence, it could end up being a bore-draw.
Free Betting Tips
Match Prediction
DRAW at 27/10 with 888Sport
Over/Under Prediction
UNDER 2.5 goals at 1/2 with Betfred
Correct Score Prediction
DRAW 0-0 at 13/2 with Betfair
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