Our prediction for this Nations League match:
Northern Ireland
Match Time & Date:
05/09/2024
20:45
Prediction: 1-1
Luxembourg
Northern Ireland play host to Luxembourg at their Windsor Park in what is expected to be an interesting UEFA Nations League game. The Green and White Army missed out on a spot at EURO 2024 and, no doubt, they have big ambitions for the new Nations League campaign. Kilmarnock midfielder Brad Lyons is back from injury, but both Jamie Reid and Conor McMenamin miss out this time out.
Luxembourg, on the other hand, have been making progress year by year and, as a result, they are expected to play an important role in Group 3. Even though Northern Ireland are a real force to be reckoned with at home, we predict that the visitors are going to grab something from the match. A man to watch in the away side will be Gerson Rodrigues, who has netted 21 goals in 63 appearances for the national team.
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 (Luxembourg):
Luxembourg national football team is controlled by Luxembourg Football Federation and they play their home games at Stade Josy Barthel. Les Lions Rouges have never qualified for the finals of a major tournament, but they often make life difficult for European teams in the qualifiers.
Luxembourg defeated Macedonia in the Euro 2016 qualifiers, but a victory over Czech Republic in the 1996 European Championship qualifying match is considered the team’s biggest success. Les Lions Rouges play their home matches in red shirts and red shorts, while they wear white jerseys and white shorts when playing on the travels.
Jeff Strasser is both the most famous and the most capped Luxembourg player and it has to be noted that the former Bundesliga player made 98 appearances for the national team. Luxembourg recorded their biggest win against Afghanistan (6-0), in the match that was played in London in 1948. Speaking of their biggest defeat, Luxembourg were outclassed by England 9-0 on two occasions (1960, 1982).
Man City 
Everton
Bournemouth
Crystal Palace 
Chelsea 
Fulham
Newcastle 
Aston Villa 
Nottingham Forest 
Tottenham
Southampton 
West Ham 
