Faroe Islands vs Northern Ireland Prediction and Preview – 04/09/2015
Euro 2016 Qualification preview – Faroe Islands vs Northern Ireland prediction
Since 2013 Faroe Islands have had an incredible rise in the world rankings, climbing from 170th to 75th. This is down to a brilliant showing in this qualification stage where they have beaten former European champions Greece twice. Credit has to be given to a Nation as small as Faroe Islands for playing as well as they have, and I think they will play with a 4-3-2-1 formation with Edmundsen at the pinnacle of the attack. This formation is the one which has earned them their two wins.
Chris Brunt will be a part of the Northern Ireland squad for this match after overcoming a slight hamstring injury. Steven davis will also be in the team after missing training this week as a precaution. Jamie Ward however is being monitored on a daily basis. Due to various absences I feel Northern Ireland will revert to a 4-1-4-1 formation in order to maintain plenty of defensive cover. Kyle Lafferty will be hoping to add to his impressive five qualifying goals so far.
Possible Line-ups
Faroe Islands: 4-3-2-1 formation: Nielsen; V. Davidsen, Natestad, Gregersen, Naes; Holst, Benjaminsen, Vatnhamar; Hansson, Olsen; Edmundson
Northern Ireland: 4-1-4-1 formation: Carroll; Ferguson, Hughes, McAuley, McLaughlin; Baird; Evans, Norwood, Davis, McGinn; Lafferty
Statistics
- Faroe Islands have won 3, drawn 1 and lost 6 of their last 10 matches
- Northern Ireland have won 4, drawn 2 and lost 4 of their last 10 matches
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Faroe Islands have scored an average of 1.1 goals and conceded an average of 1.6 goals per game
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Northern Ireland have scored an average of 0.9 goals and conceded an average of 0.9 goals per game
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 5 of Faroe Islands’ previous 10 matches
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 2 of Northern Ireland’s previous 10 matches
- In October 2014 Northern Ireland overcame Faroe Islands in a 2-0 victory which was the first of the two qualifying games between the teams. In the past a draw is the best result Faroe Islands have had in this fixture
Prediction
Faroe Islands are looking very strong in comparison to where they were two years ago. However they don’t have any players who have scored more than one goal in qualifying so far, and they are expected to be eclipsed by Northern Ireland in terms of quality, getting a result will be difficult.
Northern Ireland are looking to qualify for their first ever European Championships, and first major tournament since 1986. They are sitting one point behind leaders Romania in their group with a precarious two point lead over Hungary. If Kyle Lafferty is fit enough to find some scoring form they should come away with a win.
This match has come at a good time for Northern Ireland to hopefully put some distance between them and Hungary. Faroe Islands have only won one of their last five home games.
We say: Northern Ireland and both teams not to score at 5/4 with Bet365
What are your predictions?