In a challenging Euro 2024 qualifying campaign, Northern Ireland faced another setback as they succumbed to a 1-0 defeat against group leaders Slovenia at Windsor Park. Despite a promising start to the tournament with an away victory over San Marino, the team’s performance has taken a downturn, leaving them with only three points from eight qualifying matches.

Early Blow: Cerin’s Superb Free-Kick Sets the Tone

The match’s defining moment occurred early on, as Adam Cerin’s exceptional free-kick secured the lead for Slovenia. This early setback set the tone for a scrappy game, leaving Northern Ireland struggling to find their rhythm.

Teenage Dismissal: Shea Charles Sees Red

Compounding Northern Ireland’s woes, teenage midfielder Shea Charles received a red card just before the hour mark. Reduced to ten men, Michael O’Neill’s squad faced an uphill battle to stage a comeback against the formidable Group H leaders.

Missed Opportunities: Saville’s Late Attempts Denied

In the final 20 minutes, substitute George Saville had two notable chances to level the score. However, Slovenia’s resilient defense and the goalkeeper’s heroics denied Saville, further deepening Northern Ireland’s disappointment.

Bleak Outlook: Sixth Defeat in Eight Qualifying Games

The defeat against Slovenia marks Northern Ireland’s sixth loss in eight qualifying games, highlighting the challenging nature of their Euro 2024 campaign. Despite a convincing 3-0 victory over San Marino just days earlier, the team faces a precarious situation heading into the final two matches in the group.

Final Thoughts: Uphill Battle for Michael O’Neill’s Men

With their only points secured against the world’s lowest-ranked side, Northern Ireland must regroup and reassess their strategy for the remaining qualifiers.

Michael O’Neill faces the formidable task of motivating his squad to overcome the odds and salvage a more positive conclusion to their Euro 2024 qualifying journey.

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Northern Ireland currently sit third in Group C on goal difference ahead of Bulgaria and need to match or better their result against Switzerland to consolidate their position.

Italy, on the other hand, need to do the same with Switzerland to finish in first place and automatically qualify for the World Cup in Qatar next year.

Pride is on the line for Ian Baraclough’s men while Roberto Mancini’s European Champions will want to avoid the embarrassment of being forced to take part in a play-off.

Northern Ireland earned themselves a 1-0 win in the first of a double-header at Windsor Park on Friday night against Lithuania.

However, they did not pick up a point in their reverse fixture against the Italians in the first match of their quest for qualification.

The home crowd at Windsor Park will be behind the Green and White Army for the fixture with a big result needed to end the campaign on a high.

Italy will aim to curb their form of three draws in a row that has allowed Switzerland back into the hunt for automatic progression to the World Cup.

The team have stagnated since their Euro 2020 victory in Wembley, winning only twice since then – a 5-0 victory over Lithuania and a 2-1 win over Belgium in the third-place play-off of the UEFA Nations League.

Mancini and co. have one final chance to reignite the fire before their preparations for the tournament in Qatar begins, should they finish first of course, and being massive favourites, an upset could see them spiral further.

Teams

Northern Ireland: TBA

Italy: TBA

Odds

Northern Ireland 13/1

Draw 9/2

Italy 1/5

Where To Watch

The match will kick-off at 7:45 pm and will be available to watch live on Sky Sports Premier League from 7 pm.

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The Evans brothers make their return to the international team after they both pulled out of last month’s qualifiers through injury.

Preston North End midfielder Ali McCann, who also missed October’s double-header against Switzerland and Bulgaria through injury, has returned to the fold, too.

Manchester United’s Ethan Galbraith, who has been captaining the U21s, has been called up to the senior side once again after an impressive start to life on loan at Doncaster Rovers.

Blackpool forward Shayne Lavery, however, is among those who are yet to return to the side, missing out through injury.

The Northern Ireland senior men’s team boss has given a first senior call-up to young Nottingham Forest striker Dale Taylor, who has previously played extensively at underage level for his country.

Reading goalkeeper Luke Southwood will join a Northern Irish set-up for the first time in his career.

Qualification is not a possibility for Ian Baraclough and co. but strong results and a Bulgarian defeat to Switzerland will see them finish third, despite their loss to Yasen Petrov’s side.

Northern Ireland squad for November Internationals

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Northern Ireland fell to Switzerland last time out in a 2-0 defeat which saw left-back Jamal Lewis receive his marching orders in a controversial fashion with a second yellow card in the first half for time-wasting.

The side were dominated on the ball and created very little against a Swiss side that took 27 shots.

Bulgaria are looking to bounce back from shock 3-1 loss to Lithuania in Vilnius – the Green and White Army won 4-1 on their travels to the Eastern European country.

The two teams are level on points in Group C and Ian Baraclough’s away side will be hoping to get some breathing room in third.

Bulgaria sit in fourth on a worse goal difference of -5, while Steven Davis and co. benefit from their -1 differential.

Northern Ireland were held to a goalless draw by Bulgaria in Belfast in March and another close encounter is expected on Tuesday night.

Jonny Evans has not joined the squad due to an illness on top of his long-standing foot injury that he suffered in the FA Cup final.

Bulgaria, on the other hands, have all players at their disposal for the World Cup qualifier clash.

Both sides are hoping to earn their second win of the campaign and lead the race for third place.

A win will all but eliminate the loser – Switzerland play Lithuania this evening.

Probable Lineups

Bulgaria – last match (4-4-2): Lukov; Bozhikov, Hristov, Hristov, Antov; Despotev, Vitanov, Malinov, Nedelev; Iliev, Yomov.

Northern Ireland (5-4-1): Peacock-Farrell; Bradley, Ballard, Cathcart, Flanagan, Ferguson; Dallas, Davis, Magennis, Saville; Washington.

Odds

Bulgaria 7/4

Draw 15/8

Northern Ireland 9/5

Where To Watch

The game will kick-off at 7:45 pm and will be available to watch live on Sky Sports Football with coverage starting at 7:30 pm.

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A Haris Seferovic penalty miss in the first half was the highlight of the fixture as the sides failed to find a breakthrough on the night.

It was Northern Ireland goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell’s second save in as many qualification games after denying Lithuania a goal from the spot last week.

The on-loan Sheffield Wednesday keeper was the hero on the night for Ian Baraclough’s side as they held on for a draw against the UEFA Euro 2020 quarter-finalists.

Switzerland dominated possession on a night that saw a near-capacity crowd return to the Belfast stadium.

However, the effect of the crowd did help to put pressure on the visitors throughout the match.

Swiss midfielder Fabian Frei picked up an early yellow card and earning himself a suspension after strong pressing from the home team.

Northern Ireland forward Shane Lavery found himself in clean air and looked set to score but could not provide the finishing touch after fashioning space for a shot.

However, Lavery and strike partner Conor Washington, although unable to give their side a goal, looked just as dangerous as they did against Lithuania.

The hosts’ sparkle soon faded as right-back Michael Smith was judged to have brought left winger Ruben Vargas down inside the box and a penalty was given.

However, number nine Haris Seferovic fluffed his lines from 12-yards out and Peacock-Farrell denied Murat Yakin’s Swiss side a goal – they have yet to score in a competitive game (and win a competitive game) under their new manager.

Liverpool full-back Connor Bradley impressed upon his introduction after assisting Shane Ferguson’s winner against Estonia at the weekend.

Baraclough’s Northern Ireland were defensively resilient with a noisy crowd behind them all the way but lacked the end product needed to collect all three points, while Switzerland failed to break them down and will rue a missed penalty.

Both sides will face each other again in the first game of the October international window at the Stade de Geneve in Switzerland on Saturday, October 9.

Northern Ireland (3-5-2): Peacock-Farrell; Ballard, Cathcart, Brown; Smith, McCann, Davis (C), Thompson, Lewis; Washington, Lavery.

Subs: Bradley, Flanagan, Saville, McGinn, Lafferty, Ferguson, Carson, Charles, Jones, White, McCalmont, Hazard.

Switzerland (4-3-3): Sommer (C); Widmer, Akanji, Elvedi, Rodriguez; Freuler, Frei, Zakaria; Vargas, Seferovic, Fassnacht.

Subs: Garcia, Zeqiri, Steffen, Mvogo, Zuber, Sow, Lauper, Lotomba, Aebischer, Kobel, Schar, Zesiger.

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Ian Baraclough’s side sit fourth in the Group C table, three points off Switzerland who are in second – a draw will take Northern Ireland up to third and a win will propel them to second in the table.

Switzerland need a win to keep the pressure on group leaders and European champions Italy, who are four points ahead of Xhaka and co. with two more games played.

The Swiss are still unbeaten in the group and will look to extend that streak with a result against the Green And White Army.

However, Northern Ireland will have the advantage of fans on their side at the Belfast venue.

Changes are expected to be made to the Northern Ireland that beat Estonia in a friendly at the weekend thanks to a Shane Ferguson screamer.

They will still be without Leicester City’s Jonny Evans as he continues to recover from a foot injury.

Winger Jordan Jones is suspended and will miss the clash against Switzerland as a result.

Goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell will retain his starting position while the duo of Shane Lavery and Conor Washington is expected to appear.

Switzerland will have every player in their squad at their disposal for the upcoming match.

However, four of their players picked up a yellow in the draw against Italy on Sunday and will need to tread carefully to avoid suspension.

Predicted Lineups

Northern Ireland (3-5-2): Peacock-Farrell; Ballard, Cathcart, Brown; Smith, McCann, Davis (C), Thompson, Lewis; Washington, Lavery.

Subs: Bradley, Flanagan, Saville, McGinn, Lafferty, Ferguson, Carson, Charles, Jones, White, McCalmont, Hazard.

Switzerland (4-3-3): Sommer; Widmer, Akanji, Elvedi, Rodriguez; Freuler, Frei, Zakaria; Vargas, Seferovic, Fassnacht.

Subs: Garcia, Zeqiri, Steffen, Mvogo, Zuber, Sow, Lauper, Lotomba, Aebischer, Kobel, Schar, Zesiger.

Odds

Northern Ireland 5/1

Draw 11/4

Switzerland 4/7

Where To Watch

The match will kick-off at 7:45 pm and will be available to watch on Sky Sports Football with coverage starting at 7 pm.

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The Rotherham United star came off the bench for his 50th cap for Northern Ireland and added to the occasion with a superb strike from 30 yards out.

The bullet flew past Estonian goalkeeper Matvei Igonen, who could not stop the inevitable.

The goal lit up an otherwise dull fixture between the two sides and puts Northern Ireland on two wins from two in the September international window thus far, with three wins in their last four.

Head coach Ian Baraclough made nine changes to the side that ran out 4-1 winners in an eventful fixture in the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius on Thursday.

Full-backs against Estonia, Paddy McNair and Jamal Lewis, were the only survivors from the national side’s previous fixture.

The squad still included experienced individuals with Niall McGinn captain on the night and Kyle Lafferty leading the line for the Green And White Army.

Estonia started the strongest as the hosts looked to gain control of the game early on but Northern Ireland got to grips with the tempo and started to put pressure on after a while.

Kyle Lafferty came closest to breaking the deadlock for the visitors but could not put the ball past the 24-year-old Igonen.

Estonia made four changes for the second half and started the half the stronger of the two teams once again.

Baraclough made changes to counter this, taking off Lafferty and Lewis for Dion Charles and Ferguson.

Goalkeeper Trevor Carson was also replaced on the hour mark, with Conor Hazard taking his place to get 30 more minutes of international football under his belt.

Liverpool defender Conor Bradley also came on for some game time in place of Liam Donnelly.

Ferguson’s beautiful hit twelve minutes after Bradley’s substitution found the top corner of the Estonian net after the 18-year-old from Castlederg teed him up.

Hazard pulled off an impressive save to deny substitute Henri Anier, who came close several times and Northern Ireland stayed in the lead until the final whistle.

Baraclough’s side will face Switzerland on Wednesday, September 8 in their third and final game of the month – a second World Cup Qualifier of the window.

Estonia (3-1-4-2): Igonen; Luuka, Kusk, Paskotski; Kreida (Mets 45); Lilander (Puri 45), Sinyavskiy (Kirss 80), Poom, Vassiljev (C) (Kait 45); Sappinen (Anier 45), Sorga (Zenjov 76).

Northern Ireland (4-2-3-1): Carson (Hazard 63); McNair, Flanagan, Brown, Lewis (Ferguson 55); Donnelly (Bradley 63), McCalmont; Whyte, Jones, McGinn (C); Lafferty (Charles 55).

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The Northerners got three vital points in the hunt for a World Cup Qualifier play-off spot in Group C without some of their most important players.

The match saw three penalties awarded, two of them going in the Green and White Army’s favour and both of those Northern Irish spot-kicks finding the net.

Daniel Ballard opened the scoring for Ian Baraclough’s side, who were searching for their second win in their last three games.

Ballard slotted in after a well-constructed move that led to striker Conor Washington playing a ball across goal for the defender.

Washington was instrumental in the final third for Northern Ireland, adding the second from the penalty spot and being the side’s focal point up top, creating several chances throughout the game.

His strike partner for the evening, Blackpool’s Shane Lavery struggled to take his chances in the first half, missing two gilt-edged chances that could have killed the game before the first 45 minutes had passed.

Lithuania grew into the game in the final ten minutes of the opening half and caused some trouble but could not find an equaliser before the referee halted proceedings.

Northern Irish full-back Michael Smith’s shot early in the second half struck the arm of Lithuanian defender Linas Megelaitis and after a check from referee Stephanie Frappart, a penalty was awarded.

Conor Washington slotted it in the left corner while Lithuanian goalkeeper Ernestas Setkus went the other way.

Northern Ireland finally had a cushion to depend on but it was thrown away minutes later when forward Rolandas Baravykas’ scintillating strike found the back of the Northern Irish net following a corner.

Several minutes later, Frappart awarded a penalty to the home side after a lengthy VAR check and it had appeared that the visitors had let their opponents back into the game.

Former Manchester United player Paddy McNair was given a yellow card for his foul in the box but his blushes were spared as Bailey Peacock-Farrell denied Novikovas.

Jordan Thompson, who combined well with Conor Washington in the attacking third on the night, assisted Shayne Lavery to get clear daylight for their side once again.

It was Lavery’s first goal in international football, which compliments his four goals in seven games for Blackpool this season.

The game began to fade as the result became clearer but Northern Ireland had another goal in them and when captain Steven Davis went down in the box, McNair stepped up to slot home their second penalty of the match to secure a win and an important three points for his side.

Next up for Northern Ireland is a visit to Estonia on Saturday, September 5 before a second World Cup Qualifier of the September internationals against Switzerland takes place on the night of Wednesday, September 8.

MOTM: Conor Washington (Northern Ireland)

Lineups

Lithuania (4-2-3-1): Setkus; Baravykas, Utkas, Satkus, Slavickus; Verbickas, Megelaitis; Novikovas, Chernykh, Lasickas; Dubickas.

Subs: Gertmonas, Klimavicius, Gaspuitis, Dapkus, Uzela, Jankauskas, Tutyskinas, Kazlauskas, Plukas, Barauskas, Vorobjovas.

Northern Ireland (4-4-2): Peacock-Farrell; Smith, Cathcart, Ballard, Lewis; McNair, Davis (C), Thompson, McCann; Lavery, Washington.

Subs: Donnelly, Carson, Flanagan, McCalmont, Lafferty, McGinn, Brown, Jones, Whyte, Charles, Hazard.

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The two teams in Group C are in need of a win to chase Italy and Switzerland down, with Ian Baraclough’s side sitting third, five points off the play-off spot.

A 2-0 loss to a rotated Italian side before their European success and a goalless draw with Bulgaria are all Northern Ireland have to show for their efforts thus far.

Baraclough’s national side have only won one of their last 10 games – a 3-0 friendly win over Malta in June – and have been the lesser side when it comes to possession in each of them.

Their five-at-the-back setup is likely to be in use once again tonight but it will not be at full strength as their will be several absentees.

Leeds United star Stuart Dallas did not travel to Lithuania with the side for personal reasons and will not return for the Switzerland clash.

Hearts forward Liam Boyce misses out for family reasons.

Corry Evans joins his brother Jonny on the sidelines after straining his hamstring and Josh Magennis has been replaced in the squad by Kyle Lafferty after picking up a knock.

Craig Cathcart is a doubt for the Lithuania fixture but Baraclough has said that he expects the Watford defender to play.

Morecombe loanee Alfie McCalmont, whose parent club is Leeds, has been called up from the under-21s.

Stephen Donnelly returns from a long-term injury while Sunderland’s Tom Flanagan has also joined up with the squad.

Midfielder George Saville will miss the game through suspension but will be available for the side’s match against Switzerland.

Leicester first-team coach Adam Sadler, who joined Baraclough’s staff this week, will not be with the side for the September internationals due to a family bereavement.

Lineups

Lithuania (4-2-3-1): Setkus; Baravykas, Utkas, Satkus, Slavickus; Verbickas, Megelaitis; Novikovas, Chernykh, Lasickas; Dubickas.

Subs: Gertmonas, Klimavicius, Gaspuitis, Dapkus, Uzela, Jankauskas, Tutyskinas, Kazlauskas, Plukas, Barauskas, Vorobjovas.

Northern Ireland (5-3-2): Peacock-Farrell; Smith, Cathcart, Ballard, Lewis, McNair; Davis (C), Thompson, McCann; Lavery, Washington.

Subs: Donnelly, Carson, Flanagan, McCalmont, Lafferty, McGinn, Brown, Jones, Whyte, Charles, Hazard.

Odds

Lithuania 10/3

Draw 2/1

Northern Ireland 19/20

Where To Watch

Lithuania v Northern Ireland will kick-off at 7:45 pm Irish Standard Time. The match will be shown live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football with coverage starting at 7:30 pm.

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The Leicester star has been included in the national team’s squad to face Lithuania, Estonia and Switzerland.

The news comes after Brendan Rodgers said that the 33-year-old’s situation would be reassessed after the international break.

“It’s just ongoing with Jonny and the injury,” Rodgers said. “We said we would see where he’s at after the international break. He’s not near to playing as of yet.”

Evans has not played a game for City since aggravating up an injury in the 2021 FA Cup final against Chelsea.

The Northern Irish centre-half has been struggling with a foot problem for several months and initially pulled up on it in a Premier League game against Newcastle United but was passed fit for the cup final.

Baraclough has vowed not to risk the defender’s long-term fitness during the September international break.

“Jonny is definitely going to be a doubt but I wasn’t going to name the squad without him if there was a small chance he was going to be involved,” said the boss. “He hasn’t started training with Leicester yet so it is a big ask for him to be involved but through conversations with him and Brendan, we all know the situation.

“We hope that we see him back fit and playing. We’d like to have him among our ranks, Leicester certainly would like him to be involved in their campaign so fingers crossed, but it is a doubt, I have to say.”

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