Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the UEFA Nations League match.
On Thursday, Windsor Park in Belfast will host a clash between Northern Ireland and Luxembourg as part of Group 3 in League C. This encounter marks their third meeting in the past five years.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland will now face threats from opponents without Jonny Evans. The 36-year-old defender, who earned 107 caps over 18 years, announced his retirement from international football at the end of August. Additionally, head coach Michael O'Neill has made six changes compared to the recent friendlies against Spain (1:5) and Andorra (2:0). In the previous Nations League campaign, the team finished third in their group. This time, they are capable of achieving at least second place.
Luxembourg
Luxembourg have emerged as one of the surprises in the recent Euro 2024 qualifiers. Under Luc Holtz, they won five matches and accumulated a record 17 points. Only an even greater surprise from Georgia denied them a place in Germany. In the previous Nations League campaign, they also finished behind only Turkey. Before the Euros, Luxembourg conceded three unanswered goals each from France and Belgium, but they are not intimidated by teams of Northern Ireland's level now.
Northern Ireland - Luxembourg Prediction
Their most recent encounter ended in a Northern Ireland away win (3:1). That match, like another exactly five years ago in Belfast (1:0), was a friendly. At home, the Northern Ireland team rarely concedes. Over the last 15 matches, they have conceded more than two goals only twice. Scoring more than two goals is also rare (14 out of 15). Either no goals or one goal per game is a typical occurrence (9 out of 15).
