Belarus vs Northern Ireland prediction, betting tips and odds: Defences set to dominate

Where to watch Belarus vs Northern Ireland

You can watch Belarus vs Northern Ireland in the Nations League at 7.45pm on Saturday, October 12, live on Viaplay International YouTube

Match prediction & best bet

Under 1.5 goals
1pt 6-4 bet365, BoyleSports

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Belarus vs Northern Ireland odds

Belarus 15-4
Northern Ireland 10-11
Draw 23-10

Odds correct at time of publishing

Belarus vs Northern Ireland predictions

Northern Ireland head to Hungary to take on Belarus in their third fixture in this season's Nations League and the layers are expecting defences to dominate with under 2.5 goals no bigger than 1-2.

It is easy to see why goals may be in short supply as Northern Ireland bid to respond to September's 1-0 defeat in Bulgaria, while Belarus will attempt to build on their 1-0 victory in Luxembourg.

The Green & White Army won their Nations League opener 2-0 at home to Luxembourg, but they have yet to succeed in nine attempts on their travels in this competition since its formation in 2018.

Belarus are no great shakes but they also kept a clean sheet in a goalless draw against Bulgaria in their Nations League opener and, much like their visitors, are built on strong defensive foundations.

The White Wings do well with the limited resources and in seven of their last 12 international matches they have kept their opponents at bay.

Both teams have scored in only one of those outings, with under 1.5 goals copping on eight occasions, and that may be the best punting approach to take.

Northern Ireland don't have much star quality going for them in forward areas either, especially away from home with them failing to score more than once in their last six road trips.

Michael O'Neill's men recorded a home and away double when locking horns with Belarus in European Championship qualifying in 2019, but they required an 86th-minute winner from Paddy McNair to land the spoils 1-0 in the road fixture.

Northern Ireland had only three shots on target in their latest 1-0 defeat in Bulgaria, while their two goals against Luxembourg came from defenders McNair and Daniel Ballard, which highlights their lack of creative quality from open play.

Therefore, clear-cut goalscoring chances may be in short demand and even a goal for either side is likely to kill the action, given this Group C3 clash could go a long way to deciding who secures that all-important top two spot.

Key stat

Belarus have scored only one goal in their last six international matches.

Belarus vs Northern Ireland team news

Belarus
Belarus will be without Dinamo Minsk forward Ivan Bakhar and that is the hosts’ only injury concern.

Northern Ireland
Goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell misses out, with Mansfield's Christy Pym added to the squad as cover. Daniel Ballard is also out, but Jamie Reid returns after missing the last international break. Uncapped duo Lee Bonis and Kofi Balmer have earned call-ups.

Probable teams

Belarus (3-4-3): Lapoukhov; Volkov, Martynovich, Zabelin; Karpovich, Yablonsky, Ebong, Pyachenin; Gromyko, Shikavka, Antilevsky.
Subs: Kireev, Yablonsky, Barkovski, Kovalev, Klimovich, Melnichenko, Pavlyuchenko.

Northern Ireland (5-4-1): Southwood; Hume, McNair, Toal, Brown, Lewis; Bradley, Saville, S Charles, Price; D Charles.
Subs: Reid, Balmer, Bonis, Magennis, Lavery, Smyth, McCann, McCausland.

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