Northern Ireland hosts Faroe in the second match day counting for Group F in the Euro 2016 qualifications. After the shocking win in Hungary, Northern Ireland is going to feel as though they stand a chance to fight for Euro 2016 qualification … and what would be a colossal performance for them. Group is very easy with Romania, Greece, Finland and Hungary and Northern Ireland already beat Hungary away … they also have a good generation of players … everybody playing in England, some Premier League players also.
Hosts are big favorites vs. Faroe at odds 1.25 but they have to be wary of the fact that Faroe is not so easy to beat anymore … and also of their own shortcomings, because Northern Ireland rarely does well when it is a favorite. But Northern Ireland’s old statistics do not count for much as there is a totally different situation and atmosphere ahead of this match. Top player Evans from Manchester United will not play for the hosts today.
Faroe lost with a clear 1-3 result vs. Finland in first game. it is true that visitors have improved in the last years and it’s not so easy to put goals past them. But what many people are forgetting (and it shows clear in the statistics) is that Faroe is still dirt poor when traveling … in the last match away Faroe beat Gibraltar 4-1, a result that came after 14 (!!!) consecutive losses … and out of 14 losses, 10 came by a 1 goal handicap, including a 0-4 defeat to Northern Ireland in 2011. The only times they did not lose with handicap was against teams like Malta, Iceland, Estonia or Kazakhstan (true, Northern Ireland is not so much better than those sides). Point is Faroe has improved but that is a valid statement mostly at home.
I like Northern Ireland to get a confident home win to go to 6 points and really get into the qualification mix in this Euro 2016 preliminary group. Hosts have an amazing chance after the Hungary win and with Faroe such a horrible road team, a 1 goal handicap does not look like too much to ask from the hosts. They have the quality, they have the motivation, they play at home. With everything to fight for and 10.000 hopeful fans behind them, I tip Northern Ireland to win with at least 2 goals difference … I am really confident in this pick and I like the confidence showed from the Northern Ireland players and staff. Correct score prediction:Northern Ireland – Faroe Islands 3-0.
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