This is the biggest game in Northern Irish football since qualification for Euro 2016. A positive result for Michael O’Neill’s men in this fixture gives them a great opportunity to seal second place in the group and go on to a play-off round to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

It would be their first World Cup Finals qualification since 1986.

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📂 Slovakia v Northern Ireland Cheat Sheet

📈 Slovakia v Northern Ireland Form & Stats

Slovakia come into this match currently holding that all-important second position. This is despite losing to Northern Ireland already in this group at Windsor Park. The reason that Slovakia remain above Northern Ireland is because they have already played and beaten Luxembourg home and away, and they had a shock win at home to Germany at the very beginning of the campaign.

However, their form was certainly lacking at Windsor Park. Northern Ireland were the better team and deserved their victory on the night. Prior to that 2-0 win over Germany, Slovakia had lost three internationals in a row, and had failed to gain promotion from Nations League B, losing a play-off to Slovenia. They have been lacking as an attacking force as well. Despite playing Luxembourg twice, they still only average three shots on target per match in this campaign, ranking them down at 39 of 54 nations currently in UEFA qualification.

Obviously, Northern Ireland come into this match with fewer points than Slovakia, but with a lot more optimism about their game. They have lost to Germany home and away, but there is certainly no shame in that, and they have already beaten Slovakia once at home and dismissed Luxembourg in an away match. Their qualification remains in their own hands, and the way that the team played in both of their wins, especially, gives good ground for expectation to be successful in these last two qualifiers.

Away form is a concern for Northern Ireland, though. They did win in Luxembourg at the beginning of this campaign, but prior to that, they hadn’t won a competitive away match since a 2-0 win in San Marino in March 2023. Friendly away wins have come against Estonia, Luxembourg, and Scotland in recent years, but their last away win against a nation ranked anywhere near Slovakia was in Greece in 2014.

📔 Slovakia v Northern Ireland Formation & Team News

Slovakia tend to use a 4-3-3 shape in most cases, though it could be possible to see them make some kind of switch considering how poorly they played last time against Northern Ireland.

Slovakia’s strength lies in their highly experienced back four and goalkeeper, all of whom have played for a long time together and at a high domestic level. Their midfield is more functional than exciting, and they tend to struggle for consistent output from their wide forwards.

Michael O’Neill looks to have an almost fully fit squad to select from, which is all he can ask for ahead of this vital set of fixtures. Shea Charles is the major exception here, with the Southampton midfielder currently out injured.

He is likely to stick with a 3-5-2 shape, which did them very well against Slovakia at Windsor Park. This system allows O'Neill to take advantage of his squad's areas of strength, which are in central defence and central midfield. Energy and hard work are the keys to Northern Irish success, and that will be guaranteed with this crop of players going into this important fixture.

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* I recommend waiting for confirmed team line-ups before placing any bets.

* All odds displayed correct at the time of publishing.