Friday's result

Ireland scored after 7 games. A loss for the start of September.

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Slovenia - Northern Ireland  0-1  LOSS

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Statistic:

August

Profit: -7 units  Yield: -100%

Season

Profit: +18.36 units  Yield: +15.11%

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Slovenia - Northern Ireland

Slovenia is a decent side. They proved themselves in previous qualifications and in South Africa. Some talented players (Novakovic, Dedic, Koren…), but personally I’m well surprised with their tactical discipline during the game. Their raiting has raised from 79^th Fifa place to 19^th. In last five home games, they won 4 (N.Zealand, Qatar, Russia and San Marino) and drew one (Czech Republic). Only absentee is defender Marko Suler.

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Ireland made few very good campaigns, but always stayed short eventually. They were playing friendlies lately, lost all 5 and didn’t score in last 7! However, they made 2 decent results and two draws against Czech 0-0 and Poland 1-1. In group with Italy, Serbia, Estonia, Slovenia and Faroe Islands, I rate them as 4^th and really can’t see N.Ireland progressing. No significant missings.

 

Slovenia plays really well in Maribor and considering the group rivals (Italy and Serbia) and the fact next game is in Belgrade, this one they have to win. 2-0 correct score.

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Bet: Slovenia -1ah  
Odd: 2.07  Pinnacle
Stake: 7/10
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Northern Ireland 0-1 Serbia

A classy goal from PSV Eindhoven striker Danko Lazovic was enough to give Serbia victory in Saturday's friendly at Windsor Park.
Lazovic drilled in a low shot to cap a neat move in the 57th minute. 
Zdravko Kuzmanovic and Zoran Tosic had first-half efforts well saved by home goalkeeper Maik Taylor. 
In the second half Northern Ireland had chances to take the lead but Kyle Lafferty missed out in front of goal and Chris Brunt put a low shot wide. 
Defender Stephen Craigan then tried for his first international goal but saw his header saved by keeper Bojan Isailovic. 
The result means Northern Ireland have won just twice in their last 20 friendlies. 
Having lost their last home game to Slovakia in a World Cup qualifier, Nigel Worthington's men were keen to produce a good display. 
Keeper Taylor had to be alert in the ninth minute to tip over a shot from Zdravko Kuzmanovic. 
Niall McGinn then cut inside and tried his luck on goal but his shot was deflected for a corner by Aleksander Lukovic who could easily have scored an own goal. 
Manchester United defender Jonny Evans did not come out for the second half because of a calf injury. 
His club colleague Nemanja Vidic also sat out the second half. 
Northern Ireland should have taken the lead in the 49th minute after good work by McGinn but Brunt sent his shot wide of the far post with his less-favoured right foot. 
Serbia took the lead in the 57th minute with a quality score. 
Lazovic fired past Taylor from the edge of the box after a great dummy from Gojko Kacar set him up following Tosic's cross. 
However Northern Ireland threatened an equaliser six minutes later but Isailovic made a good block to keep out Craigan's header. 
David Healy, relegated to the bench, came on in the 64th minute and soon scuffed a shooting chance wide of the mark. 
The out-of-touch Sunderland striker had a great chance late on but curled his shot just wide from the edge of the area. 
Northern Ireland: Taylor, Evans, Hughes, Craigan, McCartney, McGinn, Davis, Baird, Brunt, Feeney, Lafferty.
Subs: Tuffey, McCann, McGivern, Healy, McCourt, Kirk, O'Connor.
Serbia: Isailovic, Rukavina, Vidic, Lukovic, Kolarov, Milijas, Kuzmanovic, Petrovic, Tosic, Jovanovic, Lazovic.
Subs: Stojkovic, Kacar, Ivanovic, Lekic, Tomovic, Vukovic, Krasic, Ninkovic, Zigic, Subotic.
Referee: Albert Toussaint (Luxembourg)

Northern Ireland - Serbia

Northern Ireland will miss another big competition. And while in previous campaign as underdogs were very close, this qualifiers entered with bigger ambitions but reached only fourth place in group. They gain English style of play characterized with fighting spirit, national coach has a decent squad, but simply lack in quality when they face some of the best European teams (if we can say so for Slovakia, Slovenia, Czech Republic or Poland). Two best players are young Man.Utd. star Jonny Evans and Sunderland’s striker David Healy. Healy didn’t repeat the performances from campaign for EURO when he was the best European goal scorer and probably because the lack of first team play at Stadium of Light scored only one goal in ten group games. Small amount of goals also was the main reason for recent national team failure as they didn’t score in two last and decisive games (Slovakia 0-2 at home and Czech Republic 0-0 away). However, coach Nigel Worthington has called the best available players. Only missings will be Coventry midfielder Sammy Clingan and striker from Burnley Martin Paterson. Northern Ireland never lack in motivation and I expect their decent display.

 

Serbia passed very strong group consisted of France, Romania, Austria, Lithuania and Faroe Islands. With seven wins and 22 points on the balance, booked the ticket for the final countdown in South Africa and left France short handed. New national team coach, Radomir Antic has brought collective play and fighting spirit that were never characteristics of Serbia’s games. With excellent tactical leadership and squad based on Vidic and Ivanovic in defense line, Stankovic, Krasic and Jovanovic in midfield and Zigic and Pantelic in attack, team surprised announced group favorites France, Romania and whole European audience reaching the first place in group. Second of two defeats (first was in Paris 1-2), Serbia faced in last round in Lithuania 1-2. Cold weather and freezing rain in Vilnius, extremely bad pitch and two penalty kicks for the opponent were the main reasons for defeat that took off the celebration smiles. So, Serbs traveled to Belfast with intention to return a good mood. Antic can not count on key midfielder Dejan Stankovic, regular striker Marko Pantelic and defender from the bench Ivica Dragutinovic. He’ll mix the cards and try some tactical solutions, but anyway team that will start the game at Windsor Park will be more than competitive.

 

Northern Ireland have a decent squad, but will face the stronger opponent than they used to play against. Although they’ll play at home and will have fans’ support, clear advantage is on visitors’ side. Serbia  will be very serious, friendly games are important for self confidence and I expect their attacking attitude and win. Probably without a goal conceded. Best odd is at Betfair, 2.35. Away win.

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Northern Ireland 3-2 Poland

Nigel Worthington's Northern Ireland took full advantage of some uncertain defending to remain in the hunt for FIFA World Cup qualification with ten points from six Group 3 matches.

Dramatic match
A thrilling contest at Windsor Park was in full flow even before Warren Feeney gave the hosts the lead inside ten minutes. It was their eleventh goal in qualifying and although the sides went in level at the break thanks to Ireneusz Jeleń, a Jonny Evans strike and Michał Żewłakow's own goal provided a cushion for the home side, which they needed after a late reply from Marek Saganowski.

Early chances
Poland survived two early scares after defensive errors allowed Feeney to fire just wide of the far post inside three minutes, while David Healy pounced on a weak Żewłakow back-pass only for Artur Boruc to deny him. But Northern Ireland did take the lead when Boruc misjudged a Chris Brunt cross and Damien Johnson headed back across goal for Feeney to tap in. Leo Beenhakker's charges barely threatened until they levelled in the 27th minute when Jeleń raced through and his drive had enough power to beat Maik Taylor.

Own goal
Northern Ireland began the second half with the same vigour as the previous one, forcing themselves in front again moments after the restart when Evans turned in a Grant McCann corner from close range. Poland's defensive misdemeanours reached their peak when Żewłakow's back-pass bobbled over the foot of Boruc just after the hour mark to make it 3-1 and, despite Saganowski pulling a goal back with a sublime diving header in stoppage time, Poland could not salvage a draw. They drop three points behind their opponents, having played a game less.
www.uefa.com

Northern Ireland - Poland

N.Ireland has seven points (the same as Czech, Poland and Slovenia), but from five games, one more than the rest. Slovakia is first with nine. N. Ireland's points are from a draw at home against Czech 0-0 and two wins against surely the worst team in Europe, San Marino. So, I think number of points is not representative. Their expectations (and odds) are based mainly on the previous WCQ campaign, when N.Ireland played excellent in group with Spain, Sweden and Denmark (didn't pass at the end). Big worries for national coach Nigel Worthington. Two very important players are suspended, Steve Davis and George McCartney. Plus, Lafferty, Paterson and McCourt are injured. It means five keys. Even if Worthington can count on the best players, it would be hard to resist. But, they have to attack tonight (how?).

Poland have two wins (Czech 2:1 at home and San Marino 2-0 on the road), a draw (Slovenia 1-1 at home) and a defeat (Slovakia 1-2 away). Beside that, they won a few friendlies. Poland has very specific way of play, everybody runs everywhere and shoot from every positions(something like Lithuania in basketball). At the first sight you have impression it is a complete mess on the pitch and it's a question of time when two their players will hit each other. But, that "mess" usually results with fast counter-attacks when sometimes four or five players from nowhere  pop up in front of opponent's goal. I remember Leo Beenhakker from the time when they played in group with Serbia. Creepy old man who always finds the way to f**k up all strategies that somebody can plan. Anyway, they have missings, too. Two keys, striker Pawel Brozek and midfielder Rafal Murawsk stayed at home 'cause the injuries. But, very important midfielder Blaszczykowski has recovered.

Hosts have to attack. Visitors will stay on own half at the start and wait for a chance for (mentioned) counter attack. I see Poland as the absolute favorites and think to bet on handicap win, too. Odds look sweet, 2.10 at 888, 2.05 at Expekt. Away win.