Michael O’Neill’s men haven’t fared well on the road in recent months and their trip to Sarajevo is unlikely to provide much action in the final third
The UEFA Nations League continues as Bosnia-Herzegovina host Northern Ireland.
The home side have taken maximum points from their opening two games in this competition while Michael O’Neill’s men have suffered back-to-back defeats.
Latest Odds
Given their strong start it’s understandable to see Bosnia as odds-on favourites at 78/100 (1.78) with William Hill. That’s an industry best price at the time of writing but the host have been drifting across the board in the build up to the game.
A draw is priced at 23/10 (3.30) while Northern Ireland – who haven’t won an international game away from home since October 2017 when they beat San Marino – are 17/4 (5.25) to record a shock win.
Team news
Forward Liam Boyce should be available for the visitors after missing Friday’s defeat against Austria. Will Grigg picked up an injury in that game and Kyle Lafferty’s withdrawal leaves O’Neill short of options in the final third. Boyce is priced at 15/4 (4.75) to find the net with William Hill.
Bosnia head coach Robert Prosinecki has no new injury concerns after a 0-0 draw with Turkey. Edin Dzeko is 3/1 (4.0) favourite to open the scoring as he did against Austria in his sides’ last Nations League outing.
Preview
This game seems unlikely to be an action-packed affair. Despite a 2-1 win for Bosnia in the previous meeting between these sides, goals rarely flow freely as far as these nations are concerned.
Northern Ireland haven’t scored a goal in their previous five away games including two 0-0 draws with Switzerland and Panama. That run could well be extended here given their absentee list.
The visitors are facing relegation from this group and the odds suggest they face a huge task to take anything from their trip to Sarajevo.
Tip and Predictions
Bosnia have seen three of their previous six games end 0-0 while Northern Ireland’s woes in front of goal on the road are well documented.
Under 2.5 goals is likely to be too short to back as a single selection at 8/15 (1.53) but the 13/8 (2.63) about under 1.5 goals makes plenty of appeal.
This has paid out in five of Bosnia’s last seven games as well as two of the three Nations League games contested in Group three so far.
No Goalscorer is 11/2 (6.50) and could also be worth a small stake. This option should always be taken over a bet on the 0-0 correct score where available due to the potential for an own goal to be the difference between the teams.
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