Northern Ireland vs Kazakhstan Predictions

• Kazakhstan have won their last two games, scoring six times
• NI have lost back-to-back games in this group
• The hosts have failed to score in five of their last 10 matches

NI falling short

After a tough couple of years for Northern Ireland, this qualifying group looked to present an opportunity to turn things around. Michael O’Neill returned to the dugout with Finland and Slovenia standing in their way of making Euro 2024. This draw was about as good as it could get for NI, but they haven’t capitalised.

With two successive 1-0 defeats behind them, NI sit only above San Marino in Group H. They trail four sides who are level on six points, including Monday’s opponents Kazakhstan.

Hosts lacking quality

While there was a clear case for NI making a qualification push, their manager lowered expectations after the 1-0 loss in Denmark. The Ulstermen are missing 11 senior players for June’s double-header, with O’Neill forced to turn to younger players at a time when he could use some of the more experienced players.

That’s seen the team struggle just as Kazakhstan start to dream of a place in Germany. The visitors have won their last two games, putting three goals past both Denmark and San Marino. They are coming off the back of topping their Nations League group in late 2022, winning four and drawing one of their six games.

Kazakhstan are certainly in the mix to make the Euros, while even Northern Ireland’s manager has admitted that qualifying is beyond this current squad. With confidence flowing in the opposition camp, back the hosts to struggle on Monday. Kazakhstan’s scoring threat makes them a huge problem for a blunt NI side which has failed to score in five of their last 10 games.

Build better bets with our free betting tips, predictions and accumulators, every day.