In their fifth UEFA Nations League League C match of 2024-25, Northern Ireland are set to host Belarus on Friday at Windsor Park, with victory enough to guarantee a place in the top two.
The home team are first in their four-team group with seven points and ran out 5-0 winners against Bulgaria last time out in the competition on October 15, whereas the visitors are just one place and one point behind, though they drew 1-1 with Luxembourg on October 15.
Match preview
Northern Ireland raced into a 3-0 lead against Bulgaria after just 32 minutes, with Isaac Price managing to net a hat-trick by the full-time whistle.
The Green and White Army were deserving victors when they played Bulgaria, but it should be noted that they only created one big chance despite scoring five times.
Boss Michael O'Neill said that while he was thrilled by the victory, he still believed that his team can improve offensively, telling reporters: "I still think the biggest area of the pitch we need to improve is in the final third."
O'Neil's side had scored just nine goals in their previous 10 matches, failing to score on four occasions in that period.
Northern Ireland have won one, drawn one and lost one of their three most recent games and have triumphed three times in their last six Nations League fixtures.
To their credit, the hosts' recent record at home has been strong given they have won their last three matches in the tournament at Windsor Park, as well as their last four games in all competitions without conceding.
Opponents Belarus missed a spot kick in the 11th minute against Luxembourg and dropped points as a result of Gerson Rodrigues's penalty goal in the 78th minute.
Friday's visitors also drew 0-0 with Northern Ireland in their prior Nations League outing on October 12, a match in which the White Wings produced just 0.35 xG and kept a clean sheet despite facing four big chances.
Carlos Alos has been in charge of the national team since December 2023 and has a record of three wins, seven stalemates and four losses.
Alos's side are unbeaten in their four most recent matches, drawing three in that time, and they have also drawn four and won one of their last five Nations League games.
Belarus have lost three of their last five away games in the competition, though they have not been beaten in their most recent four fixtures on the road in all competitions, winning two and drawing two.
Team News
Northern Ireland are likely to select a back three consisting of Trai Hume, Paddy McNair and Ciaron Brown in front of goalkeeper Pierce Charles.
Liverpool right-back Conor Bradley is certain to be fielded as a wing-back, while midfielders Alistair McCann and Shea Charles may feature in a double pivot.
In attack, O'Neill could select a forward line of Isaac Price, Callum Marshall and Dion Charles.
If Belarus use the same 3-4-3 formation they deployed against Northern Ireland in the sides' last clash, Zakhar Volkov, Sergei Politevich and Pavel Zabelin are probable candidates to start in a back three.
Evgeni Yablonski and Max Ebong may be chosen to play in a double pivot, while striker Nikita Korzun could be flanked by Yevgeni Shikavka and Dmitri Antilevski.
Northern Ireland possible starting lineup:
P Charles; Hume, McNair, Brown; Bradley, McCann, S Charles, Spencer; Price, Marshall, D Charles
Belarus possible starting lineup:
Lapoukhov; Volkov, Politevich, Zabelin; Kovalev, Yablonski, Ebong, Pechenin; Antilevski, Korzun, Shikavka
We say: Northern Ireland 2-1 Belarus
The hosts have been strong at home in recent games, and it would not be surprising if they won once again.
Belarus have also been poor away from home, and it is difficult to see how they achieve a positive result.
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