Northern Ireland v Israel Betting Odds, Preview and Predictions

Northern Ireland seek win to keep qualification hopes alive

Northern Ireland McAuley - Italy Antonio Cassano
Northern Ireland McAuley - Italy Antonio Cassano © GEPA pictures

Northern Ireland v Israel Betting Preview
After coming under criticism for not being ready for some snowfall, which resulted in their game against Russia being postponed, Northern Ireland should be ready for Israel on Tuesday night. It means that Northern Ireland are a game behind Tuesday night’s opponents and a win now would be massive for the home nation.

Northern Ireland v Israel Betting Odds at online bookmaker Bet365
Israel 7/5, Northern Ireland 9/4, Draw 2/1

Northern Ireland v Israel Recommended Bet:
The Irish start the game five points back of second placed Israel and a home win would make the group standings look interesting. Of course there would still be a bit of a mountain for Northern Ireland to climb to get into the qualification race, but confidence from a first win in the group would do wonders for them. Northern Ireland have drawn three and lost one of their first four matches and they have had trouble putting the ball in the back of the net, averaging less than a goal per game so far. Their two home matches that they have played have both resulted in 1-1 draws and they need a little bit more than that if they want to keep dreams alive of reaching Brazil 2014. There are shortcomings in the Northern Ireland side going forward and with Israel having been in fine scoring fettle, this could need the kind of defensive resilience that the Irish showed out in Portugal for their famous 1-1 draw.

Northern Ireland to go as underdogs in this one, especially with Israel almost taking a win against Portugal last Friday. Israel held a 3-2 lead until the death when they conceded an equaliser late into stoppage time. That could have been a massive win if they had held on, firmly securing second spot. Instead they are sat in second still, but level on points with Portugal. So they have big incentive to take a big win in Belfast. Israel have scored 13 goals in their five matches so far and have looked a pretty handy side. Defensively they have conceded eight, which isn’t great, and you feel that if Northern Ireland are able to get anything out of this, then it will only be by a one goal margin. A draw is hard to ignore though at value of 2/1 with online bookmaker Bet365.

Northern Ireland v Israel Head To Head
There have only been two meetings between the nations before, that was back in the 1982 World cup qualifiers. After a 0-0 in Tel Aviv, Northern Ireland did strike a 1-0 win back in Belfast

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Northern Ireland have a bit of a penchant for drawing home games it would seem and therefore some 0-0 Bore Draw Insurance could be worth looking at with online bookmaker Bet365. The highly rated bookie will refund all losing bets on the Correct Score, Scorecast and Half Time/Full Time markets if the game ends in a 0-0 draw. New customers registering an account can get up to a £200 free bet as a welcome bonus, and funded account holders get access to great live international football streams as well.