Northern Ireland welcome USA to Windsor Park, Belfast in an international friendly.
This match marks the first-ever match between Northern Ireland and USA in all competitions, with the Irish looking to hit back after a poor defeat in Italy on Thursday.
USA meanwhile are contesting their seventh consecutive friendly this decade with no competitive action due until June.
Team News
Accrington Stanley’s Dion Charles is set to make his international debut for Northern Ireland after being left out of Thursday’s defeat in Italy.
Jamal Lewis is a doubt with a groin injury which him out of their midweek loss.
USA have no fresh injury concerns to report following Thursday’s 4-1 friendly win over Jamaica in Austria.
Stat Attack
- This is Northern Ireland’s first ever meeting against USA in all competitions.
- Northern Ireland are unbeaten in their last six international friendlies (W4, D2).
- USA have lost none of their last six international friendlies (W5, D1).
Prediction
Northern Ireland come into this game off the back of a tough opener to their World Cup qualifying campaign, in which they defended well despite struggling with aerial passes but lacked players to finish off rare attacks as Italy claimed a comfortable home win.
USA meanwhile looks to be confidently building for the future with a strong injection of young players mixed in with some experienced stars, which seems to be benefiting the team overall with improved form.
This American team also like to play out from defence so I feel that the hosts will need to bring a strong pressing game whilst being wary at the back, because if they leave too much space then another defeat could be in store if they don’t tighten up or finish attacks with players getting up the pitch.
Prediction: Northern Ireland 0-2 USA
Result: Northern Ireland 1-2 USA
Leave a Reply