Northern Ireland vs Slovakia Predictions

• Slovakia have won both of their Group A games.
• Northern Ireland have won their last four competitive home games.
• Under 2.5 goals has landed in six of Norn Iron’s last seven at home.

Key clash for Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland host Slovakia on Friday in a crucial fixture in terms of the battle for the top two spots in World Cup 2026 qualifying Group A.

Germany were widely expected to top Group A, leaving the other three teams fighting it out for second place but Slovakia’s shock 2-0 over the Germans has complicated matters for Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland have three points on the board after a 3-1 win over Luxembourg and then a defeat to Germany. Friday’s clash isn’t a must win tie just yet for Michael O’Neill’s men but it is certainly a must-not-lose fixture, and the pressure is on the hosts.

Norn Iron do have an impressive home record with six wins and just one goal conceded across their last seven games on home soil. The key factor will be whether they can handle the pressure on such a huge occasion, but Slovakia have perhaps rode their luck at times in their opening two qualifiers and if Northern Ireland are on form they can make the most of their home advantage and secure a crucial win at Windsor Park.

This game should be of interest for under 2.5 goals backers as Northern Ireland have managed clean sheets in four consecutive competitive home games and Slovakia are yet to concede in qualifying. With Northern Ireland predicted to win, a 1-0 victory for the home side has a chance in the correct score market.