Northern Ireland won Group C3 to secure promotion to the second tier of the UEFA Nations League and they have taken the jump in class in their stride, collecting four points from their opening two matches.
Michael O'Neill’s side snatched a last-minute victory in Georgia, with Shea Charles’ goal rewarding them with a 1-0 success in Tbilisi, and they illustrated their defensive steel again in Monday’s goalless draw at home to Hungary.
Northern Ireland’s stock is on the rise but they will know they are in for another tough test against Ukraine, who have also picked up four points from two matches.
Ukraine won 1-0 away at Hungary before sharing the spoils in a goalless draw of their own in Georgia.
Victory for either of these sides at the Anton Malatinsky Stadium in the Slovakian city of Trnava on Friday would put them in early control of the section.
Ukraine v Northern Ireland Tips Summary
Best Bet - Northern Ireland or draw double chance @ 4/5
Alternative Bet - Ethan Galbraith to be booked @ 6/4
Bet Builder - Under 3 goals, Isaac Price 1+ shot on target & Jamie Donley 1+ shot on target @ 6/1
Ukraine v Northern Ireland Prediction
Best Bet: Northern Ireland or draw double chance @ 4/5
This is a UEFA Nations League group that has yet to spark into life, with Northern Ireland and Ukraine both picking up four points from two games despite scoring only a goal apiece.
That suggests defences could dominate again and that is a scenario that will suit outsiders Northern Ireland, who are on the upgrade and are notoriously tough to beat.
The Green and White Army have kept four clean sheets in their last seven internationals and the only time that they conceded more than twice in their last 10 outings was against a star-studded France.
Ukraine are forced to play this fixture on neutral soil in Trnava and they appear to have been fortunate in their opening two group games.
In the 1-0 win at Hungary, Ukraine lost the shot count 17-10, while Georgia won the shot stats 14 to seven in Tbilisi and were wasteful.
So Northern Ireland, with their strong defensive foundations and added creative quality, should be confident of at least avoiding defeat.
Alternative Bet: Ethan Galbraith to be booked @ 6/4
Ethan Galbraith was one of four bookings for Northern Ireland in a heated exchange with Hungary and he could be carded again against Ukraine.
Galbraith has picked up four yellow cards in his 18 caps while he has been cautioned four times in just eight Championship appearances for Stoke City this season.
Ukraine v Northern Ireland Bet Builder Tip
Under 3 goals
Isaac Price 1+ shot on target
Jamie Donley 1+ shot on target
Pays 6/1
Nine of Northern Ireland’s last 10 matches have featured two or fewer goals and, given their defensive organisation yet lack of focal point, it is very rare that they are embroiled in high-scoring encounters.
Four of Ukraine’s last five fixtures have gone under 2.5 goals, too, and this can follow suit.
Isaac Price is one of Northern Ireland’s emerging stars and against both Georgia and Hungary he had three shots, hitting the target once on each occasion.
Price has 10 goals in just 34 caps and may give Ukraine most cause for concern.
That said, Jamie Donley has done a good job being asked to play furthest forward for Northern Ireland and had three shots across meetings with Georgia and Hungary.
Donley hit the target against the latter and should be able to repeat the feat on Friday.
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Key Match Stats
Nine of Northern Ireland’s last 10 matches have featured two or fewer goals
Both teams have scored in only two of Ukraine’s last eight matches
The last four meetings between these teams have gone under 2.5 goals
Northern Ireland have won only two of their last 13 away matches
One or both teams have failed to score in five of the past six meetings
Ukraine have lost only three of their last 11 fixtures
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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.
