Slovakia – Northern Ireland. Forecast, announcement for the 2026 World Cup qualification match

On November 14, the selection match for the World Cup in Europe will be held at the Košice Arena, in which the Slovak team will meet with the Northern Ireland team. The match will start at 21:45 Kyiv time.

Slovakia

The team was able to return to major tournaments last year. Moreover, then, despite the defeat against Ukraine, they managed to reach the playoffs at the Euro. And in the League of Nations, they fought to the last for the top division, but in March they were unlucky: after exchanging a 0:0 draw in extra time, they conceded the only goal from the Slovenians – it turned out to be fatal.

But in the selection for the World Cup, they started with a sensational victory: in the first round they beat the main favorite, Germany, and 2:0. But, after winning twice in Luxembourg (1:0 away, 2:0 at home), they fell just against the current opponent, losing 0:2 in Belfast. Thus, the advantage over the Germans was lost, however, according to the regulations, everything will be decided by the result in face-to-face matches.

Northern Ireland

For a long time, the national team was only able to qualify for Euro-2016, and there, after beating Ukraine, it made its way to the playoffs. Now the same mentor, Martin O’Neill, is working again. But so far there are nowhere near such successes as before. Yes, a year ago they managed to win their group – but they played in division C and the opponents were Bulgaria, Belarus and Luxembourg. And even eleven points in six matches with them was enough to become the first in such a company.

Now, as expected, this is a middle peasant who has only a formal chance for second place. At home, they surprised by defeating the Slovaks 2:0, in addition, in the first round there was a victory over a well-known opponent, Luxembourg. But against the Germans, both matches brought defeats.

Statistics of personal meetings

In 2008-2009, both matches were won by Slovaks. Then there were two draws (although in the League of Nations again the same team eventually progressed), and only last month the British finally won for the first time.

Forecast

Bookmakers understand that Calzona’s wards only need victory. We bet that they will be able to defeat their offenders (coefficient – 2.09).