Northern Ireland v Romania
Saturday 13th June – Kickoff 1945hrs
Football – Europe – European Championships Qualification
As it has been for all the home nations thus far, Northern Ireland have enjoyed a terrific start to their qualifying campaign. From a team who finished second bottom of their qualifying group, taking seven points out a possible 30, to having 12 from their first five games in this competition – it has been quite the turnaround for Michael O’Neill’s men. Their only defeat in this group came back in November, losing to the same opponent as they face on Saturday. If Northern Ireland can avenge that loss, they would take a huge step to playing in their first international tournament since 1986.
Romania have been somewhat in the doldrums in recent years having reached only one major tournament in the last 14 years. They stand a good chance of improving on that record, topping Group F by a point at the halfway stage. A repeat of their 2-0 win over Northern Ireland would be another huge result in their bid to reach the finals of Euro 2016 in France next summer. The Romanians remain unbeaten thus far, and have conceded one goal, indicating how effective they have been.
Kyle Lafferty has been a huge player for his country in this campaign, scoring five goals, and when you consider Northern Ireland have only managed eight goals as a team, Lafferty’s importance to their chances of success is massive. He will have to be at his threatening best on Saturday, though, if Northern Ireland are to get a positive result.
If one of these two nations are to take all three points this weekend, it would be a significant result in the race to finish top of this group. The top two at the end of qualifying will make to the finals next year but a win for Romania would leave them within touching distance of that feat, whilst a home win would see them leapfrog their opponents into top spot with four games remaining.
Northern Ireland v Romania Betting Tips
As well as Northern Ireland have done in the first half of this campaign, they have carried a touch of luck on their way. They were also found wanting in Bucharest and I fear they may well be second-best again in Belfast. The visitors have an excellent defensive record in this group, and come into this game on the back of three clean sheets. They were superior in the previous meeting and I think it will be a similar story this time around.
Romania 29/20 @ Paddypower
