Northern Ireland v Belarus: Prediction, Tips and Odds

Northern Ireland can guarantee a top-two finish in their Nations League group with victory over Belarus at Windsor Park.

Northern Ireland were in good spirits after the most recent international break, having taken four points from their two matches to go top of Group C3 in the Nations League.

Michael O'Neill's men followed a disciplined 0-0 draw away to Belarus with a 5-0 thumping of Bulgaria on their own patch.

Next up is a home fixture with Belarus and if Northern Ireland can secure all three points on Friday, they can ensure they will finish in the top two, whilst also boosting their chances of winning the section.

Belarus are also in contention for promotion to League B and remain unbeaten from their four Nations League contests, although three of them have finished as draws.

Northern Ireland v Belarus betting tips and predictions

Northern Ireland to win and under 2.5 goals - 7/4

O'Neill insists his Northern Ireland side are "full of confidence" following the last international break and it is no surprise to see them rated 1/2 favourites to beat Belarus.

The previous meeting between the sides finished 0-0 in Hungary in October but Northern Ireland were unlucky not to come away with a win, having won the shot count 15-6.

They at least flexed their scoring muscles against Bulgaria last time out, easing to a 5-0 win, but O'Neill still believes the team need to improve up top.

That is a fair assessment given that before the victory, Northern Ireland had scored a mere nine goals in 10 matches, drawing blanks in two of their last four.

Therefore, the 5-0 win over Bulgaria seems like an anomaly rather than a sign of things to come and Northern Ireland are unlikely to sweep aside Belarus so easily.

Nonetheless, O'Neill's side are a tough nut to crack in their own backyard, having won each of their last three games at Windsor Park to nil - a run which started with an impressive 2-0 defeat of Denmark.

Windsor Park is not an easy place to go and Northern Ireland should bank a third victory of their Nations League campaign but punters should combine a home win with under 2.5 goals as Belarus' four games in this season's competition have produced just three goals.

Isaac Price to score at anytime - 5/1

Given the likelihood of a low-scoring contest, there are some big prices on offer in the goalscorer markets and Isaac Price is worth taking a chance on at 5/1.

Price, who plies his trade for Standard Liege in the Belgian Pro League, netted a hat-trick in the 5-0 win over Bulgaria last time out, scoring two of his goals within 29 minutes.

He is likely to be deployed as part of a front three once again and he could be key to unlocking a stubborn Belarus defence.

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Northern Ireland v Belarus odds

Northern Ireland - 1/2
Draw - 14/5
Belarus - 7/1

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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.