Comments and predictions for Slovakia vs Northern Ireland: Narrow loss
The match between Slovakia vs Northern Ireland in the World Cup qualifiers takes place at 2:45 a.m. on November 15. Nghe An Newspaper, Radio and Television analyzes performance, makes football comments and predicts the score.
Latest information on Slovakia vs Northern Ireland's forces
The good news for Slovakia is that they have the return of important midfielder Stanislav Lobotka after the Napoli star recovered from injury.
Only Hellas Verona striker Tomas Suslov is a notable absentee, as he is still recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained in August.
Experienced centre-back Milan Skriniar continues to wear the captain's armband, leading a back four that includes Atletico Madrid's David Hancko.
Up front, David Strelec – who has scored five goals in his last 13 appearances for the team – will start, while Northern Ireland's Isaac Price has also scored eight goals in his last 11 appearances for the Blues.
However, Northern Ireland are in a crisis. Not only are they without their number one goalkeeper Pierce Charles, but his younger brother – Shea Charles – is also absent due to a hamstring injury.
Another key midfielder, Ali McCann, suffered a broken arm, while Swansea's Ethan Galbraith is out through a one-match suspension; Brodie Spencer is also unavailable.
In this situation, O'Neill may have to rotate and improvise. However, experienced goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell is almost certain to continue to start behind his familiar back three, while Liverpool's Conor Bradley returns from suspension.
Latest expected lineup for Slovakia vs Northern Ireland
Slovakia:
Dubravka; Gyomber, Skriniar, Obert, Hancko; Duda, Lobotka, Bero; Haraslin, Strelec, Schranz
Northern Ireland:
Peacock-Farrell; Hume, Ballard, McNair; Bradley, Price, Saville, Devenny, Lewis; Marshall, Reid
Latest football commentary on Slovakia vs Northern Ireland
By becoming the first team in history to beat Germany at home in a World Cup qualifier, Slovakia almost made the perfect start to Group A – but the four-time world champions quickly moved ahead.
After needing a late goal to overcome Luxembourg in the second round, Slovakia then lost away to Northern Ireland in October.
However, Francesco Calzona's side bounced back with a 2-0 home win over Luxembourg – the weakest team in the group – but a top-two finish is still far from assured.
Currently with 9 points after four matches, equal with Germany and three points ahead of Northern Ireland, the final two matches will become a direct competition for a direct place in the finals, while the second-placed team will have to play a playoff.
Therefore, Slovakia – who are aiming for their first World Cup since 2010 – cannot afford to lose to Northern Ireland again, or they could even be eliminated on Monday night.
Northern Ireland’s situation is more complicated. They will certainly not qualify automatically if they lose in Kosice – or if they do not win and Germany overcome Luxembourg as expected.
If they lose to Slovakia while Germany do not lose, coach Michael O'Neill's young squad will fall to third place before the final round of matches.
However, the hope is not over, as they can still qualify for the playoffs thanks to their group-top performance in last season's UEFA Nations League. Either way, they are still desperate to qualify for their first World Cup in four decades.
Northern Ireland opened Group A with a 3-1 win in Luxembourg, then lost to Germany, but a win at Windsor Park against Slovakia last month revived hopes.
Despite a resilient performance, Northern Ireland lost 1-0 to Germany later, leaving them with a very difficult task this month.
Latest Slovakia vs Northern Ireland score prediction
Based on the above football comments, we and the world's leading football sites have given the results of the match.Slovakia vs Northern Irelandas follows:
- Sportsmole:Slovakia 2-0 Northern Ireland
- WhoScore:Slovakia 2-1 Northern Ireland
- We predict:Slovakia 2-1 Northern Ireland
When and where to watch Slovakia vs Northern Ireland live?
To watch live the Slovakia vs Northern Ireland match in the World Cup qualifiers taking place at 2:45 a.m. on November 15, viewers can watch onK+ Sport,K+PMor online sports channels. Wish you have fun watching football.