Our prediction for this match:
Romania
Match Time & Date:
22/03/2024
14:00
Prediction: 1-0
Northern Ireland
Friday’s friendly at Arena Nationala (Bucharest) pits together Romania and Northern Ireland, the two teams who meet for the first time since November 2020. Back then the two sides played out a 1-1 draw in the UEFA Nations League and yet another close contest is on the horizon. The Tricolorii are brimming with confidence following a very successful EURO qualifying campaign and, as a result, the bookies see them as favourites to win Friday’s game. Denis Alibec, who scored the winner against Switzerland, is widely expected to lead the line for the hosts.
The Green and White Army, meanwhile, missed out on a spot at the European Championship finals and given their four-game losing run on the road in competitive matches, we believe that there is a big value in betting on the home side. As for the visiting team, both Stuart Dallas and Corry Evans have been ruled out with injuries, while goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell is a major doubt.
Highlighted Player (Paddy McNair):
Following in the footsteps of his compatriot Jonny Evans, Paddy McNair joined the Manchester United academy in 2011 and he was surprisingly handed first team debut by Louis van Gaal at the start of the 2014/2015 season.
Despite his fragile age, the talented central defender has been putting in some very mature performances ever since, and everything suggests he could go on to become an important player at Old Trafford in years to come. After representing a number of youth sides, McNair made his first appearance for the Northern Ireland senior national team in a March 2015 friendly vs Scotland, before making another three outings as his side secured their place at the Euro 2016 finals.
Northern Ireland coach Michael O’Neill surprisingly played McNair in holding midfield in the March 2016 friendly vs Wales. After the youngster impressed in the middle of the park, O’Neill went on to suggest that the Manchester United starlet may be used in midfield rather than defence in years to come in the national team.
Highlighted Team (Romania):
Romania were one of just four European sides to take part at the first ever World Cup in 1930, and the team have since achieved respectable results on the international stage, albeit failing to challenge for major trophies.
Led by arguably their best ever footballer Gheorghe Hagi, the Tricolorii narrowly missed out on the semi-finals at the 1994 World Cup in the United States, losing to Sweden on penalties. Romania made a total of seven appearances at the World Cup finals, while qualifying for five European Championship tournaments. The Tricolorii went the farthest in 2000, when they were eliminated by Italy in the quarter-finals.
Tied at the top of the goalscoring charts, Gheorghe Hagi and Adrian Mutu are the only two Romanian footballers to have gained worldwide recognition, but Dorinel Munteanu, Dan Petrescu, Gheorghe Popescu and Viorel Moldovan are also worth mention. Romania play their home games at the Arena National in Bucarest.
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