Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the UEFA Nations League match.
Belarus have been making strides over the past couple of years, a claim that can't be made about Northern Ireland. The match will take place in Zalaegerszeg, Hungary, but this shouldn't be a major hurdle for them.
Belarus
The Belarus national team did not concede a single goal in the first two rounds of the Nations League against Bulgaria and Luxembourg. A significant factor in this success is Alexander Martynovich, who resumed his international career after stepping away in 2020. At 37, the veteran defender stands unmatched in experience and skill within the team.
Moreover, Spanish coach Carlos Alós utilises a formation with three central defenders, even against smaller teams like Andorra. His primary focus is maintaining density in the central zone.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland managed to break through Luxembourg's defence quickly in the first round of the Nations League, but this tactic failed against Bulgaria. They were prevented from attacking and were on the defensive themselves, as Bulgaria took eight shots in the first half until they scored. Northern Ireland then managed only one shot on goal and failed to create any chances in the second half, with three off-target shots.
Scoring away has been a challenge for Northern Ireland over the past year. In their last six away games, they only found the net against Spain, Scotland, and Romania, and in each case, they scored first. They only managed to hold their advantage against Scotland, and all those matches were friendlies.
Belarus vs Northern Ireland Prediction
Belarus's commitment to a defensive style, Alexander Martynovich's return to the national team, and the lack of creativity from Northern Ireland on the road suggest a low-scoring affair.
