Luxembourg will host Northern Ireland as the two teams are getting ready to open their World Cup qualifying campaign on Thursday, 4 September.
With both teams hoping to start the qualifiers with a positive result, who will secure the points from this match? Read our Luxembourg vs Northern Ireland prediction to find out, but remember to also check our other World Cup qualifying predictions.
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Luxembourg vs Northern Ireland prediction: Goals on both sides of the pitch
Key Stats
- We saw both teams score in four of the last five Northern Ireland's matches.
- Northern Ireland have beaten Luxembourg three times in their last four meetings.
- Luxembourg have only one win in their last 12 games in all competitions.
Correct score prediction: Luxembourg 1-2 Northern Ireland
While these two teams are similar in quality, Northern Ireland have done much better lately. After all, these two teams were in the same group of the last UEFA Nations League edition, with Northern Ireland ending at the top and Luxembourg in last place in the standings.
With that in mind, we wouldn't be surprised to see the guests secure all three points from their meeting this Thursday.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Bookies backing up Northern Ireland to win
- HOME: 27/10 (3.70) – 27.00%
- DRAW: 19/10 (2.90) – 34.50%
- AWAY: 6/5 (2.20) – 45.50%
*Odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
We can see from these Luxembourg vs Northern Ireland odds that the guests are the expected winners, which is understandable given their recent results in the same UEFA Nations League group.
In any case, if you liked our predictions for this game, remember to also check our betting tips for today.
Most recent H2Hs: Northern Ireland have the advantage
These two teams have met in the last edition of the UEFA Nations League, with Northern Ireland winning one of the games and the other ending in a draw.
In the last five meetings, Northern Ireland have three wins, Luxembourg one, and one match has ended without a winner.
UEFA Nations League C 18/11/24
Luxembourg
Northern Ireland
UEFA Nations League C 05/09/24
Northern Ireland
Luxembourg
International Match 25/03/22
Luxembourg
Northern Ireland
International Match 05/09/19
Northern Ireland
Luxembourg
Luxembourg preview: Hoping for a strong start at home
After finishing the last edition of the UEFA Nations League in last place in their group in League C, Luxembourg barely avoided relegation to the worst rank of the competition. So, they will be playing in League C next time around, but their performances don't give much hope to their fans ahead of these WC qualifiers.
That being said, Luxembourg's first game is at home against a team that played in the same Nations League group, so they will have a chance to get a good result. On the other hand, Northern Ireland finished first in that group, while Luxembourg were last, as we said.
Predicted lineup: Moris (GK), Dzogovic, Korac, Carlson, Jans, Bohnert, Barreiro, Moreira, V. Thill, Sanches & Sinani
Last five matches
- Luxembourg 0-0 Ireland (International Friendly)
- Luxembourg 0-1 Slovenia (International Friendly)
- Switzerland 3-1 Luxembourg (International Friendly)
- Luxembourg 1-0 Sweden (International Friendly)
- Luxembourg 2-2 Northern Ireland (UEFA Nations League)
Northern Ireland preview: Looking to build on their Nations League form
As we mentioned before, Northern Ireland were in the same group in the UEFA Nations League C last time around and they clinched the top spot in the group with 11 points from six games. So, they earned promotion to League B and they have proven that they have the quality to go after better teams as well.
That being said, Northern Ireland's last appearance at the World Cup was back in 1986 and it seems unlikely we'll see them there in 2026, but a good result against Luxembourg on Thursday would go a long way to boosting their chances of qualifying.
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland are struggling with injuries ahead of this game, with Paul Smyth, Daniel Ballard, Brodie Spencer, Ciaron Brown, Jordan Thompson, Pierce Charles, and Conor Hazard all out of the squad.
Predicted lineup: Peacock-Farrell (GK), McConville, McNair, Hume, Bradley, McCann, S. Charles, Saville, Galbraith, Price & D. Charles
Last five matches
- Northern Ireland 1-0 Iceland (International Friendly)
- Denmark 2-1 Northern Ireland (International Friendly)
- Sweden 5-1 Northern Ireland (International Friendly)
- Northern Ireland 1-1 Switzerland (International Friendly)
- Luxembourg 2-2 Northern Ireland (UEFA Nations League)