Our prediction for this World Cup 2026 match:
Northern Ireland
Match Time & Date:
15/11/2021
21:45
Prediction: 0-2
Italy
Italy will be aiming to clinch top position in Group C when they take on Northern Ireland at Windsor Park. The Azzurri dropped two points in a 1-1 draw with Switzerland, but it has to be noted that Chelsea midfielder Jorginho missed a penalty in the dying minutes of the match. Both Alessandro Bastoni and Davide Calabria are sidelined with injuries, as well as Lazio striker Ciro Immobile.
Cristiano Biraghi has been forced to withdraw from the squad due to personal reasons. As always, a man to watch in the away team will be Juve rising star Federico Chiesa. The Green and White Army, on the other hand, have nothing to play for in Monday’s qualifier. Northern Ireland missed out on a place in the playoffs, and seeing that Switzerland are breathing down Italy’s neck, we believe that there is a big value in betting on the European champions.
Highlighted Player (Steven Davis):
Born in Ballymena on 1 January 1985, Steven Davis is probably the most famous Northern Irish footballer of the 21st century, and he was one of team’s youngest ever captains, having been awarded the armband just over a year after making his debut for the national team.
The combative midfielder has spent his entire career up to date in the UK, enjoying successful spells with Aston Villa, Fulham, Rangers and Southampton, while representing the country of his birth at various youth levels before getting a chance to shine at the biggest stage.
Davis soon established himself as a leader of the Northern Ireland football team, missing just a handful of competitive fixtures since making his debut in 2005. The central midfielder scored 2 goals to help the national team finally secure their place at a major tournament, with an impressive Euro 2016 qualifying campaign likely to remain fresh in the minds of both the players and fans alike in years to come.
Highlighted Team (Italy):
With four World Cup titles and one European Championship trophy, Italy remain one of world’s most successful teams and they have also finished as runners up at major tournaments on four occasions. The Azzurri have become famous for their result oriented football over the years which is perfectly suited for World Cup and Euro finals, so it is now a surprise when they fail to reach the final stages.
After winning the second and third edition of the World Cup, Italy endured a difficult period until lifting their first European Championship title in 1968, while they also managed to show some improvement at the turn of the century. While winning the 2006 World Cup in Germany, the Azzurri reached Euro finals in 2000 and 2012, and they are still regarded as one of the leading sides in Europe.
There have been too many high-profile players leaving their mark on the national team to count, but the likes of Paolo Maldini, Gianluigi Buffon, Fabio Cannavaro, Dino Zoff, Roberto Baggio, Luigi Riva and Alessandro Del Piero will go down as some of the most successful ones.
Man City 
Everton
Bournemouth
Crystal Palace 
Chelsea 
Fulham
Newcastle 
Aston Villa 
Nottingham Forest 
Tottenham
Southampton 
West Ham 
