It's Northern Ireland v Slovakia (12/11/20) from Windsor Park this Thursday, and here is my preview with latest betting odds - also including my match prediction.
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- Windsor Park
- Kick Off 7.45pm
- Live on Sky Sports
- Matchday Live
Northern Ireland V Slovakia Preview
Can Ian Baraclough pull off another minor miracle and get Northern Ireland to their second successive European Championship finals?
That's what victory over Slovakia in their winner takes all European Championships qualifier on Thursday will achieve for the Irish.
Yes, sneaking in quietly under the radar, both Northern Ireland and Scotland have the chance on Thursday to join England at next summer's delayed European Championships final.
The Irish have had a difficult journey to get to this stage. In their original Euro 2020 qualifying group, they had the small matter of Germany and Netherlands to contend with.
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The Irish finished a credible third in that group, but it has been downhill since.
The Nations League has given the Irish this second opportunity to qualify for the Euros.
Last month the Irish defeated Bosnia-Herzegovina on penalties in the semi-finals, and that has brought them to the brink of qualifying for what would only be their 5th ever major finals.
Northern Ireland V Slovakia Odds
Northern Ireland 13/8 - The Draw 15/8 - Slovakia 9/4
The bookmakers have Northern Ireland as their warm favourites, but no more. This is most probably based on home advantage.
The Irish haven't won a competitive match in over one year now, with their win over Bosnia down to penalties.
On that form, it's difficult to make a case for Baraclough's men.
To Qualify Betting
Northern Ireland 8/11 - Slovakia 11/10
To qualify betting is a bet on who goes through to the finals, by any method. So if you back Northern Ireland at 8/11, you will win regardless of how the Irish qualify.
So they could win in 90 minutes, after extra-time, or even on penalties. As long as Ireland qualify for the finals, you win!
Northern Ireland V Slovakia Prediction 12/11/20
This is a very tricky match to predict. Games involving Northern Ireland have a tendency to be tight affairs, decided by the odd goal.
If that goal comes early, it would mess up a lot of betting options, such as half time/full time draw, and a team to win in extra-time, or on penalties.
Under 2.5 goals is a good possibility, but it's just 2/5, which although it looks a solid bet, is too short for my liking.
Another option could be Under 1.5 goals, which is a better looking 11/8. But I hate backing outcomes like that, and with 1-1 a possible result here, I'm going to give that market a miss, also.
Prediction - Either team to win on penalties in Method of Victory market @ 7/2 with Betfair
To add a bit of value to the bet, I'm going to predict this match is going to go the distance. In Method of Victory betting, either team to win on penalties in 7/2, and that is my prediction for this match.