Northern Ireland welcome Cyprus to Windsor Park in a must-win Group 2 match in League C of 2022-23 UEFA Nations League.
Victory would see Northern Ireland stay third and move three points clear of rock-bottom Cyprus, whereas the visitors can climb out of the relegation spot with a win.
Team News
George Saville is Northern Ireland’s only absentee coming into this match after he withdrew from the squad on Saturday (11 June) with an unspecified injury.
Cyprus have no fresh injury concerns to report coming into this match after Thursday’s defeat away to Greece in Volos.
Stat Attack
- Northern Ireland have lost just one of seven meetings against Cyprus in all competitions (W3, D3, L1), including a goalless draw in their only previous Nations League meeting earlier this month.
- Cyprus are yet to score after three previous visits to Northern Ireland in all competitions (D1, L2).
- Each of the last three meetings between Northern Ireland and Cyprus in all competitions have finished goalless.
- Northern Ireland are chasing a first Nations League victory at the 14th attempt after failing to win any of their 13 matches in this competition.
- Cyprus have scored just two goals in five matches in 2022 (W1, D2, L2).
Prediction
Despite having been convincingly outplayed in attacking quality away to Kosovo on Thursday evening, Northern Ireland did show a strong team spirit to stay in the game but defensive errors and lacklustre performances proved their downfall across the game.
Cyprus however weren’t much better with three goals conceded away to Greece yet they failed to find any response in terms of goals, so a huge reaction is going to be required here defensively if they’re to avoid getting cut adrift at the foot of the group.
Northern Ireland though can take heart from their two goals in Kosovo but they need to pull together a much stronger defensive display, especially at home where they’ve failed to really deliver much under Baraclough which makes this a must-win.
I however wouldn’t be surprised if Cyprus come here looking to frustrate the hosts but I am going for a narrow home win.
Prediction: Northern Ireland 1-0 Cyprus
Result: Northern Ireland 2-2 Cyprus