Republic of Ireland vs Northern Ireland Predictions

Northern Ireland make a rare trip to Dublin this week, as they face their neighbours to the south at the Aviva Stadium. This is a clash with a difficult past, but both sides are hoping to put that behind them as they try and turn around some poor form. The duo both fell at the play-off stage of the World Cup following a last 16 place at Euro 2016, while the Nations League hasn’t been kind to them so far. The pair are facing their final game of the year in a few days time, but what kind of boost can they get from this friendly?

The Republic of Ireland face a nervous wait on Friday night, when Wales and Denmark meet in Cardiff. While the Irish can’t reach the leaders Wales, they can still avoid relegation with a shock win in Denmark on Monday. However, they will need the Danes to lose that clash, or Martin O’Neill’s side are heading for the third tier. That’s a blow for the next round of the Nations League in 2020, but it will also impact their qualifying draw for the Euros, as they’re likely to face a tougher group as a result of their poor displays.

Northern Ireland are in a similar boat, and they could be relegated from the Nations League while at the Aviva. If Bosnia fail to win in Vienna against Austria, then the Ulstermen face a dead rubber on Sunday night, as their relegation would be confirmed. They have missed the chance to make the most of these matches, but they did show promising signs in their home and away meetings with Bosnia. They lost 2-0 in Sarajevo in their last match, which continued their struggles on the road.

The visitors failed to win their last six games on their travels, while they’ve lost three on the spin. In those six they’ve failed to score a goal, and they come here with only one player who has hit five or more international goals. They have a young side with a few veterans thrown in for experience, but Michael O’Neill has work to do on his side. That doesn’t bode well for this trip to Dublin.

It’s over 12 years since Northern Ireland last won an away friendly, and they come here with one goal in their last 17 non-competitive away games. They visit a Republic side who have won three of their last four home friendlies, and they could really do with another success after a poor double header here in October. We think that the visitors’ poor away record marks out the hosts as good value, so we’re going with a narrow win for the Republic of Ireland.