Luxembourg vs Northern Ireland predictions: Visitors can secure top spot in style

– Northern Ireland have won four of their last six games
– Luxembourg have lost five of their last seven matches
– Recommended bet: Northern Ireland to win

Northern Ireland are in pole position to top their Nations League group, winning three of their five matches and currently sitting two points clear of second-placed Bulgaria.

They visit Luxembourg in their final game with the hosts having taken just two points from a  possible 15 in the competition so far, and are already doomed to relegation.

With Nations League promotion firmly on the cards for Michael O’Neill’s men, there will be plenty of motivation for this youthful side to finish off their campaign in style.

Luxembourg are likely to field a similar team to that which was beaten 1-0 at home to Bulgaria last time out. 

Northern Ireland’s Dan Ballard is severely lacking in match fitness as he is eased back from injury. 

He has only played 11 minutes in the last two months for Sunderland so only played 70 minutes against Belarus and his status for this game is yet to be confirmed. The defender will be a miss if he is rested, he has netted three times in his last five internationals.

Both teams to score has not landed in any of Northern Ireland’s last six games.

Luxembourg have scored just once in their last seven outings.

Michael O’Neill’s team have netted seven goals in their last two matches, both wins to nil.

This Nations League campaign has given this new-look Northern Ireland team the opportunity to demonstrate their progress and they have certainly done so, winning three of their five games and drawing another to top the group going into the final round of fixtures.

With nine of the players who have featured in this Nations League campaign 22 years old or younger, there is a vibrancy to this team, exemplified by captain and Liverpool star Conor Bradley.

They beat Bulgaria 5-0 at home and followed that with a 2-0 success over Belarus on Friday night, where they had to be patient to break down their opponents.

They are likely to have to demonstrate many of those same skills against a Luxembourg team likely to try and soak up pressure and hit the Green and White Army on the break.

The hosts have scored just once in their last seven games and there have been very few positives to take from their recent efforts, which include a 2-0 loss against these opponents in September.

One aspect that Northern Ireland need to show is improved performances on the road and an away win would be the best way to demonstrate their progress, so take them to top the group with a victory.

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