Kazahstan look to reignite their UEFA Euro 2024 qualification ambitions against Northern Ireland in Group H.
Victory could see Kazakhstan go top for a few hours at minimum, whilst Northern Ireland will stay fifth no matter the result although anything but a win would all but mathematically end their qualification hopes.
Team News
Kazakhstan have no fresh injury concerns to report following their narrow defeat to Finland last Thursday.
Northern Ireland will be without Craig Cathcart and Ciaron Brown after the pair suffered groin and ankle injuries respectively, during their 4-2 loss to Slovenia.
When is Kick-Off?
Kazakhstan host Northern Ireland at Astana Arena, Astana, on Sunday 10 September in a 7pm EKT kick-off (2pm UK Time), live on Viaplay in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Kazakhstan won their only previous meeting against Northern Ireland, which came in a 1-0 win in Belfast in June 2023.
- Northern Ireland are playing away to Kazakhstan for the very first time in all competitions.
- Kazakhstan have won four of their last six home matches in all competitions (W4, L2).
- Northern Ireland are looking to avoid suffering five consecutive losses in all competitions for the first time since a six-match streak between September 2011 – June 2012.
Prediction
Having suffered a narrow defeat to Finland on Thursday in a game where clinical finishing just proved the difference, Kazakhstan certainly will be eager to bounce back with a much stronger performance because a win here will put serious pressure on Finland and Denmark who meet later.
Northern Ireland’s luck meanwhile is absolutely against them with Cathcart and Brown now on the injury list, following a game where they were defensively outclassed by Slovenia despite showing their solid attacking quality with two goals.
This game though should be quite tight if its anything like their clash in Belfast in June but given Kazakhstan’s home form, I fancy the hosts to get a routine win if can get at Northern Ireland’s defence with ruthless intensity and end product.
Prediction: Kazakhstan 2-0 Northern Ireland
Result: Kazakhstan 1-0 Northern Ireland