Michael O’Neill’s men face their final home fixture before Euro 2016 and our tipster is backing the hosts to pick up a morale-boosting victory in Belfast
Northern Ireland’s final home fixture before embarking on their Euro 2016 adventure takes place on Friday evening. There is sure to be an electric atmosphere when Belarus visit Belfast – and there is plenty at stake for the hosts, with manager Michael O’Neill set to name his final 23-man squad for this summer’s showpiece in France on Saturday.
The hosts will be keen to maintain momentum ahead of their first appearance at a major tournament in 20 years and, having gone eight matches without defeat on home turf, bet365’s even money (2.0) quote for O’Neill’s men to win appears to be supremely generous.
Belarus have drawn each of their last three matches and bet365 offer just 2/1 (3.0) that this match also ends in stalemate, while the visitors can be backed at 100/30 (4.33) with the same firm to puncture the home side’s positivity with a win at Windsor Park.
Five of Northern Ireland’s last six home fixtures have featured fewer than three goals and that trend seems likely to continue here, especially when it is considered that the visitors have kept a clean sheet in each of their last five matches – and have failed to score in their each of their most recent three outings.
Subsequently, it is somewhat unsurprising that bet365 offer just 4/9 (1.44) that no more than two goals are scored, while the same firm go 8/13 (1.62) that either side fails to find the net during this match.
Northern Ireland’s players will see this fixture as an opportunity to make a positive impression upon the manager ahead of next month’s Euro 2016 clash against Poland and O’Neill will be looking for a polished and professional performance from his team, with the home side determined to build upon the impressive defensive discipline that they have shown since qualifying for France.
Indeed, Northern Ireland have conceded just one goal – a penalty kick against Wales – in their three fixtures since wrapping up their qualification campaign and, having kept back-to-back clean sheets in their last two home matches, bet365 offer 11/10 (2.10) that the hosts shut out their shot-shy opponents.
However, with O’Neill’s outfit determined to send the fans home happy in their final home fixture before Euro 2016 gets underway, better value may lie in backing the hosts to claim a confidence-boosting win at Windsor Park.
The selection would have landed in each of Northern Ireland’s last three home matches and, therefore, punters are advised to snap up bet365’s appealing even money (2.0) quote for a home win on Friday evening.
Northern Ireland to win at even money (2.0) for a 2pt stake with bet365