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Northern Ireland will take on Ukraine on Saturday, 14 November, as the Nations League group stages near their conclusion.
The hosts come into the match on top of Group B2, and a win here would mean they'd only require a draw in Hungary in their final game to secure promotion to League A.
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 Ukraine key stats
- Northern Ireland are unbeaten across their last four matches.
- Ukraine have won just one of their last five matches in all competitions, including their abandoned fixture against Denmark, where they trailed 2-1.
- Fewer than three goals have been scored in 10 of Northern Ireland's last 12 matches in all competitions.
Northern Ireland vs Ukraine preview: Hosts to keep on rolling
Northern Ireland vs Ukraine — Tale of the Tape
| Northern Ireland | vs | Ukraine |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Position | 3rd |
| 8 | Points | 4 |
| 4 | Goals For | 2 |
| 0 | Goals Against | 5 |
| 4 | Clean Sheets | 1 |
Northern Ireland have enjoyed a brilliant Nations League campaign to date, but Michael O'Neill will know that there is still work to do and the job is far from finished.
If his side were to lose both of their final matches over the next week, they could quite easily find themselves in a relegation playoff to retain their status as a League B side, while four points will be enough to secure automatic promotion to League A.
As ever under O'Neill, the primary focus has been on defensive solidity. Northern Ireland have yet to concede a goal in this season's Nations League, and they will be determined to keep hold of that record on Saturday.
If they are to keep hold of their clean sheet record, they will do so with a makeshift defence, as Dan Ballard, Eoin Toal and captain Conor Bradley are all out injured.
As for Ukraine, there is still time for them to turn around their disappointing Nations League campaign, but they are now very much in a sink-or-swim situation.
The visitors have picked up just four points from their first four matches, but a win here would put them back in the conversation for promotion, particularly as they face Georgia in their final group match.
Andrea Maldera will be banking on some positive results over the next week in what is his first tournament as the Ukraine manager. While there is no indication that he will be fired even if Ukraine end up getting relegated, it isn't the start any manager would want.
If Ukraine are to win in Northern Ireland on Saturday, they will have to do so without Oleksandr Zinchenko and Viktor Tsygankov, with neither man called up to the squad due to injury.
Northern Ireland vs Ukraine form guide & betting tips
| Northern Ireland | vs | Ukraine |
|---|---|---|
LWDWD |
Form | LWDLL |
| 5 | Goals For | 2 |
| 3 | Goals Against | 7 |
DWD |
Nations League | DLL |
Whispers predicts: Northern Ireland 1-0 Ukraine
Northern Ireland's impressive form during the Nations League and their general performances on home soil give them the edge here. Northern Ireland to win to nil has been best priced at 3/1 – a bet you can make on any of the best new UK betting sites.
Northern Ireland have averaged fewer than four corners taken over their last 10 matches. Under 4.5 home corners has been priced at 8/11.
Northern Ireland have kept a clean sheet in each of their last four matches. BTTS – No has been priced at 3/4.
> Northern Ireland to win to nil at 3/1 (4.00) | Likelihood: Possible
> BTTS – No at 8/11 (1.73) | Likelihood: Probable
> Under 4.5 home corners at 3/4 (1.75) | Likelihood: Probable