/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.footballwhispers.com%2Fmain%2F2026%2F06%2FTrai-Hume.jpg)
Northern Ireland's young squad will hope to further distance themselves from the disappointment of failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup by beating Guinea on Thursday at Estadio Municipal de La Linea de la Concepcion in Spain.
Both teams have suffered elimination from World Cup qualifying, with Guinea finishing fourth in their group, whereas Northern Ireland suffered a 2-0 defeat against Italy in the semi-finals of a playoff.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Northern Ireland vs. Guinea key stats
- Northern Ireland have failed to score in three of their last five games.
- Guinea have scored three goals in their past three matches.
- Northern Ireland have conceded exactly one goal in four of their seven most recent fixtures.
- Each of the last four goals that Guinea have conceded have been scored in the first half.
Northern Ireland vs. Guinea preview: Opportunity to move forward
| Northern Ireland | vs | Guinea |
|---|---|---|
| 70th | FIFA Ranking | 90th |
| Steven Davis (140) | Most Caps | Issiaga Sylla (90) |
| David Healy (36) | Most Goals | Ibrahima Diallo (33) |
| 375 | Total Caps | 372 |
| 32 | Total Goals | 35 |
| 4 | Uncapped Players | 1 |
Northern Ireland should not be judged particularly harshly for losing to Italy given the Italians are ranked 13th by FIFA, but they will look back at their 1-0 loss against Slovakia in November last year as a crucial turning point in their failed World Cup qualifying campaign.
Had Michael O'Neill's not conceded a 91st-minute strike against Slovakia, they would have faced 79th-ranked Kosovo, who would likely been a much more favourable opponent.
The Green and White Army come into Thursday's match having drawn 1-1 with Wales on Tuesday, a game in which they missed a number of opportunities in front of goal, with the nation missing five big chances compared to Wales' one.
With several uncapped players in the squad, including teenagers Kieran Morrison and Ceadach O'Neill, supporters may get the chance to see the next generation of Northern Irish footballers begin their careers on the international stage.
Guinea finished fourth in their World Cup qualifying group, ending their campaign three points from the top two, though only the top spot was enough to automatically earn a place at this summer's tournament, and they ended 10 points behind first-placed Algeria.
Since their unsuccessful attempt to secure their place at the tournament, Syli National have played four friendlies, winning 2-0 against Liberia, drawing 1-1 with Niger, drawing 2-2 draw with Togo and losing 1-0 against Benin on March 31.
Boss Paulo Duarte has also brought a youthful squad with him, and that has been part of a wider approach of integrating talented stars at a national level ahead of what he will hope will be successful qualification campaigns in the future.
Perhaps forward Mohamed Toure will be given his first cap, especially as Serhou Guirassy has been rested for Guinea's internationals after a tiring campaign with Borussia Dortmund.
Northern Ireland vs. Guinea form guide & betting tips
| Northern Ireland | vs | Guinea |
|---|---|---|
LLWLD |
Form | DWDDL |
| 2 | Goals For | 7 |
| 5 | Goals Against | 6 |
DLLWD |
Friendly Form | DWDDL |
Whispers predicts: Northern Ireland 1-1 Guinea
With both teams having named young squads, a stalemate between the two sides feels like a likely outcome on Thursday, with the bookmakers pricing that at 12/5.
Given O'Neill's team have found goals difficult to come by in recent matches, it would be sensible to back Northern Ireland to Score Under 1.5 Goals, a prediction priced at 4/7.
Considering that the goals that Guinea have conceded have often occurred in the first half, there could be value in backing Northern Ireland to Win at Half Time, which is priced at 6/4.
Guinea have not been particularly exceptional in the final third, so predicting Guinea to Score Under 1.5 Goals – priced at 2/9 – could be the way to go.
> Northern Ireland to Score Under 1.5 Goals at 4/7 (1.57) | Likelihood: Probable
> Northern Ireland to Win at Half Time at 6/4 (2.5) | Likelihood: Possible
> Guinea to Score Under 1.5 Goals at 2/9 (1.22) | Likelihood: Possible