Northern Ireland v Luxembourg: Prediction, Tips and Odds

The Nations League returns for another year and two sides hoping to achieve promotion into League B go head-to-head at Windsor Park, as Northern Ireland host Luxembourg.

Norn Iron survived relegation to League D thanks to a superior goal difference over Cyprus last time around and will be aiming for a stronger showing than their recent European Championship qualification exploits.

Luxembourg may have over 400,000 fewer citizens but the European minnows have shown real signs of progression in recent years and after being just two wins away from an historic first major tournament appearance, they could cause real issues for Michael O’Neill’s men. 

Northern Ireland v Luxembourg betting tips and predictions

Luxembourg to win - 12/5

Northern Ireland have been drawn into a favourable group alongside Bulgaria and Belarus however they may fail to get off to a winning start against a Luxembourg side currently 84th in the FIFA rankings - 10 places below Norn Iron - and that has been as low as 195th.

While Michael O’Neill’s men have won three of their last six home fixtures, two of those victories have come against San Marino and Kosovo - nations that can usually be found propping up qualification groups - as well as against a Denmark side that was heavily changed and already through to the European Championships.

The Red Lions are likely to be up for this encounter, particularly given their improvements in recent years. Luxembourg were a win away from a Group B spot in this year’s Nations League, losing out to Turkey, while they also reached the play-offs to qualify for the Euro’s, controversially losing out to Georgia in the semi-finals.

Northern Ireland’s squad took a hit recently with veteran defender Jonny Evans’s retirement and this gap in leadership could hit the Green and Whites hard. The Red Lions have claimed positive results against the likes of Iceland and Bosnia and Herzegovina within their last eight and they could stun the hosts by taking all three points.

Gerson Rodrigues to score any time - 11/4

Only two members of Luc Holtz’s current Luxembourg squad ply their trade outside of Europe, but one of these stars, Gerson Rodrigues, provides the Red Lions with a potent goal threat.

The 29-year-old is his country’s record goalscorer with 21 goals from 63 international appearances and he netted five goals and laid on one assist in the qualification stages for the recent European Championships - a goal contributions tally that bettered the likes of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Alvaro Morata and Robert Lewandowski.

Rodrigues has one goal from three international appearances in 2024 and now coming up against a defence that has kept just two clean sheets across their last nine home matches, he could find some joy.

Shea Charles to be booked - 5/2

This has the makings for a tight battle, particularly in midfield, and a number of bookings could be shown as both the match intensity and fatigue increases.

One man to watch out for in this market is Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Shea Charles, who was shown two yellow cards during European Championship qualification.

His importance to the national side is growing with every year and it may fall upon his young shoulders to take one for the team once again.

Read more football betting tips and predictions on site.

Northern Ireland v Luxembourg odds

Northern Ireland - 23/20
Draw - 23/10
Luxembourg - 12/5

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.