Northern Ireland vs Lithuania
12th November 1945hrs
Football – International – 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifier
Pick Home Win Both Halves
Bookmaker Unibet
Odds: 11/4 odds taken 1510 GMT, Thursday 11 November
Northern Ireland are back in 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying action this Friday when Lithuania visit Windsor Park. Even though Norn Iron are already eliminated from Group C, Ian Baraclough’s boys will be looking for a win in front of their home fans. Northern Ireland can still finish in third spot, though they face UEFA Euro 2020 winners Italy in their final group game. Keep reading for the best betting odds and predictions for this World Cup qualifier in Belfast.
Table of Contents
Northern Ireland Preview – Easy three points for Norn Iron?
When the group was announced, finishing in the top two was always going to be a hard task for Northern Ireland. As expected, Italy and Switzerland have been tussling for top spot. In the last international window in October, Norn Iron were eliminated from the group.
Northern Ireland have picked up just one victory from their six qualifiers, drawing two and losing three of the other five. The Green and White Army started with a 2-0 loss to Italy in Parma before drawing with Bulgaria and beating Lithuania. However, they have taken just one point from a possible nine since then.
Northern Ireland romped to victory when the pair met in Vilnius in September, and Ian Baraclough’s boys will be looking for a similar kind of result on Friday. The hosts are the odds-on favourites at 4/9.
Lithuania Preview – Can the Lithuanians cause an upset?
Lithuania are without doubt the minnows of Group C, and Valdas Ivanauskas’ troops have struggled. After seven games played, the Lithuanians have lost six times, shipping 18 goals along the way.
Lithuania did pick up a shock victory over Bulgaria in Vilnius last month. Fedor Cernych was the hero in that one, scoring two late goals to help Ivanauskas’ side to a surprise 3-1 home win. However, they followed that up with a 4-0 home reverse to Switzerland.
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Lithuania have been well out of their depth in Group C, and their campaign could end with another heavy defeat on Friday. The bookies are offering 7/1 for an away win.
Northern Ireland vs Lithuania Betting Advice
Two months ago, Northern Ireland picked up a big win in Lithuania in the reverse qualifier. Dan Ballard opened the scoring in the first period, with a Conor Washington penalty doubling their lead shortly after the break. Rolandas Baravykas pulled one back for the hosts, but goals from Shayne Lavery and Paddy McNair added gloss to the scoreline.
Key Facts – Northern Ireland vs Lithuania Betting Tip
- Northern Ireland won the reverse meeting 4-1
- Both nations have picked up just one win in Group C
- Norn Iron were eliminated last month
Northern Ireland have two more games left in Group C. With the final one being against European champions Italy, Friday’s clash is their best chance to secure a win in front of their loyal home supporters. Baraclough’s Green and White Army should be too strong, so back the hosts to win both halves at 11/4.
Norn Iron will be hoping to dominate this game from start to finish. They were a goal up at the break in the meeting in Vilnius, and you can get 5/4 for Northern Ireland to be winning at half time and full time in this one.
The best betting odds for Northern Ireland vs Lithuania
Northern Ireland to win: 4/9 at Bet365
Draw: 16/5 at Bet365
Lithuania to win: 7/1 at Bet365
