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Friendlies 1
Sep 5, 2021 at 5pm UK
 
NI

Estonia
0 - 1
N. Ireland


Vassiljev (42'), Zenjov (79')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Ferguson (75')
Charles (68'), Bradley (87')

Preview: Estonia vs. Northern Ireland - prediction, team news, lineups

:Headline: Preview: Estonia vs. Northern Ireland - prediction, team news, lineups:
Sports Mole previews Sunday's International Friendlies clash between Estonia and Northern Ireland, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Sports Mole

Northern Ireland take a break from their efforts to qualify for the next World Cup by facing Estonia in an international friendly on Sunday afternoon.

While the visitors claimed a much-needed win over Lithuania on Thursday night, Estonia made a positive impression against Belgium before losing by a 5-2 scoreline.


Match preview

Having recorded just two wins from his opening 14 matches in charge of Northern Ireland, Ian Baraclough cannot be satisfied with his first 12 months in the dugout.

However, after experiencing seven defeats by relatively small margins, there are signs that his group of players are starting to live up to their potential.

Either side of a narrow defeat to Ukraine, Northern Ireland have posted convincing wins over Malta and Lithuania, scoring seven goals in the process.

While there is an argument that the Green and White Army should always be breezing past that level of opposition, putting their extra ability into practice has not always proven easy.

Seven different players have got their name on the scoresheet, including Daniel Ballard and Shayne Lavery who netted their first international goals on Thursday.

As far as Estonia are concerned, this game will take place just three days after they stunned Belgium with a second-minute goal in their World Cup qualifier.

The world number ones ultimately came back and eased to victory, but it was a moment that suggested that Estonia are full of confidence after recording three wins during the summer.

Narrow triumphs were recorded over Lithuania, Finland and Latvia, results which ended a 19-match winless streak since their victory over Gibraltar in March 2019.

A defeat to Sunday's opponents started that demoralising run of games as Northern Ireland netted twice during the final 13 minutes to claim a 2-1 success.

Estonia form (all competitions):
  • L
  • L
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • L

Northern Ireland form (all competitions):
  • L
  • L
  • D
  • W
  • L
  • W

Team News

Having not made a substitution until the 83rd minute on Thursday, it would come as no surprise if Baraclough changed his entire starting XI.

If Baraclough is to stick with a three-man backline, 18-year-old Liverpool prospect Conor Bradley may be handed an opportunity on the right-hand side.

Jordan Jones could be given a creative role ahead of an inexperienced midfield, acting as support for Kyle Lafferty and Dion Charles.

Estonia manager Thomas Haberli will also make alterations to his side, albeit not on the same level as Baraclough.

Erik Sorga, Michael Lilander, Vlasiy Sinyavskiy and Sergei Zenjov will all hope for an opportunity to impress ahead of the Wales game.

Estonia possible starting lineup:
Igonen; Lilander, Tamm, Kuusk, Mets, Kallaste; Vassiljev, Kreida, Kait; Sinyavskiy, Sorga

Northern Ireland possible starting lineup:
Hazard; Bradley, Flanagan, Brown; Whyte, McCalmont, Donnelly, Ferguson; Jones; Lafferty, Charles


We say: Estonia 1-2 Northern Ireland

With both managers expected to make widespread alterations, this is a difficult match to predict. Northern Ireland's extra strength-in-depth may prove crucial in the final stages, potentially helping them to a hard-fought win.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:data




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