Northern Ireland will be looking to end a four-game losing streak in Euro 2024 qualifying when they face Kazakhstan at the Astana Arena on Sunday.
With five matches in the books, Northern Ireland find themselves second from bottom in Group H – three points above minnows San Marino.
Бүгін ұпай еншілей алмадық.🇰🇿0:1🇫🇮#KFFTeam | #BizdinJigitter💛💙 | #KazakhstanFinland pic.twitter.com/RJQJB7sOYi— Kazakhstan Football Federation (@KFF_Team) September 7, 2023
Бүгін ұпай еншілей алмадық.🇰🇿0:1🇫🇮#KFFTeam | #BizdinJigitter💛💙 | #KazakhstanFinland pic.twitter.com/RJQJB7sOYi
As for Kazakhstan, they find themselves fourth – six points clear of Northern Ireland and only on point shy of the automatic qualification places.
Kazakhstan started their campaign with a 2-1 defeat against Slovenia, but they have since taken nine points from a possible 12 to strengthen their qualification bid.
Following 3-0 victories over Denmark and San Marino, Kazakhstan claimed a 1-0 win against Northern Ireland in the reverse fixture back in June.
Although Kazakhstan’s winning run was ended on Thursday as they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Finland, they remain in a healthy position.
It is also worth remembering that Kazakhstan won their 2022-23 UEFA Nations League group, losing just one of their six matches to gain promotion.
On the flip side, Northern Ireland kicked off their qualifying campaign with a 2-0 victory over San Marino, but it’s been all downhill since then.
After suffering a 1-0 defeat to Finland, the Green and White Army recorded back-to-back 1-0 losses against Denmark and Kazakhstan back in June.
On Thursday, Northern Ireland suffered a fourth successive qualifying defeat as they lost 4-2 in Slovenia, with Jonny Evans scoring at both ends of the pitch.
Not only have Northern Ireland lost each of their last four games, but they have also lost eight of their previous 12, picking up just two wins along the way.
Head-to-head: Kazakhstan and Northern Ireland met for the very first time in the reverse fixture back in June, with Kazakhstan winning 1-0 on that occasion.
Despite seeing 60% possession, Northern Ireland managed a solitary attempt on target in Belfast, while Kazakhstan scored an 88th-minute winner.
Team news: Kazakhstan deployed a 3-4-2-1 formation on Thursday, with Abat Aymbetov – who scored the winner in the reverse fixture – leading the line.
In addition to Manchester United’s Jonny Evans, Northern Ireland possess several Championship players, including Paddy McNair, George Saville, Ali McCann and Shea Charles.
When you couple Kazakhstan’s impressive record with Northern Ireland’s poor form, all the signs point towards a home win on Sunday.
Forebet predicts that Kazakhstan will claim all three points on home soil, keeping a clean sheet in the process.