Northern Ireland v Luxembourg Betting Tips – International Friendly, 5th September 19.45pm
Michael O’Neill’s Northern Ireland welcome Luc Holtz’s Luxembourg to Windsor Park on Thursday for an international friendly fixture. As expected, Norn Iron are the strong favourites in this one, with the bookies pricing the home win at 4/11. Luxembourg, meanwhile, are available at the big price of 11/2. Will the Irish be too strong on home soil, or can the Red Lions cause an upset in Belfast?
Northern Ireland v Luxembourg Betting Odds*
Northern Ireland 4/11
Draw 15/4
Luxembourg 11/2
* (Betting Odds were taken from bet365 on September 3rd, 2019 at 16:30 p.m.)
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Table of Contents
Northern Ireland News and Form – Comfortable victory for Norn Iron?
Northern Ireland head into this friendly in very good form. Michael O’Neill’s men have won four matches in a row since losing 2-1 to Austria in the UEFA Nations League in November last year, beating Estonia and Belarus (twice each) in UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying.
The Green and White Army have made a stunning start to their Euro 2020 qualifiers, picking up maximum points from four matches. N. Ireland started with a 2-0 home win over Estonia, which they followed up with a narrow 2-1 victory over Belarus in Belfast. Norn Iron then beat Estonia 2-1 in Tallinn.
In their last qualifier, Paddy McNair’s late goal gave N. Ireland a priceless 1-0 against Belarus in Barysaw to maintain their 100% record in Group C. However, with the way the fixtures have panned out, Northern Ireland now face both Germany and Holland home and away, starting with a trip to Hamburg this weekend.
Securing qualification to Euro 2020 will be Northern Ireland’s main aim, but O’Neill’s troops will want to keep their momentum ticking with a win over Luxembourg on Thursday. On paper, this should be a routine home victory for the Green and White Army.
Northern Ireland v Luxembourg Head to Head
These two nations have only ever met on three occasions
When they last squared off, Luxembourg sealed a famous 3-2 win over Northern Ireland in a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier back in September 2013
Norn Iron have not beaten Luxembourg since a 3-1 away victory in February 2000
The one and only previous meeting in Belfast ended in a 1-1 draw
- N. Ireland have won their last four
- Luxembourg are without a win in four
- Norn Iron sit on 12 points from a possible 12 in their Euro 2020 qualifying group
Luxembourg News and Form – Tough test for the Red Lions?
Luxembourg head to Belfast without a win in four. Since sealing a surprise Euro 2020 qualifying victory over Lithuania, the Luxembourgers have lost two and drawn two of their last four.
Luxembourg have suffered many years of hurt, but they have been in pretty decent form over the past few years. Since November 2011, the Red Lions have won eight times, which is very good going for a country ranked 91st in the current FIFA World Rankings.
In a Euro 2020 qualifying group with the likes of Ukraine, Serbia, Portugal and Lithuania, Luxembourg are certainly holding their own at the moment. The Luxembourgers have won one, drawn one and lost two so far. They have played more games than their rivals, but Luc Holtz’s men currently sit in second spot in the Group B table.
Luxembourg have improved tenfold in recent years, but this will be a stern test for Holtz and his side. Having failed to win any of their last four, the Luxembourgers will no doubt take a draw in Belfast. However, can they cause an upset in Northern Ireland capital?
Northern Ireland v Luxembourg Tips & Odds
Northern Ireland to win -1 at 21/20
Josh Magennis to score first at 9/2
* (Betting Odds were taken from bet365 on September 3rd, 2019 at 16:33 p.m.)
Northern Ireland v Luxembourg Predictions
Northern Ireland win: O’Neill’s boys have been in stunning form of late. Ahead of the weekend’s crunch European Championship qualifier with Germany, Norn Iron will be looking for a comfortable win over Luxembourg in Belfast on Thursday. The Red Lions are unpredictable these days, and they have enjoyed success in recent matches against the Green and White Army, but the in-form hosts should be too strong in this one. Back N. Ireland to win -1 at 21/20.
Josh Magennis, who recently made the switch to EFL Championship side Hull City, has been in good form for his country of late, netting in Euro 2020 qualifying wins over Belarus and Estonia. The striker, who was sent off in his last club match, will be keen to continue his fine form in front of goal for Northern Ireland. The 29-year-old is available at the generous price of 9/2 to open the scoring in Belfast on Thursday.
