Northern Ireland vs Luxembourg predictions: Defences set to dominate Nations League opener
- Both teams have scored in only two of Northern Ireland's last nine internationals
- Luxembourg have lost their last three away matches to nil
- Recommended bet: Both teams to score - No
Northern Ireland's last home fixture was an impressive 2-0 victory over Denmark in Euro 2024 qualifying and they are favourites to beat Nations League C3 visitors Luxembourg on Thursday.
Manager Michael O'Neill welcomes back experienced West Brom defender Paddy McNair while Liverpool's Conor Bradley, who scored both goals in June's 2-0 friendly win over Andorra, is also in the squad.
Luxembourg have some injury and suspension issues but they have been solid in recent editions of the Nations League, losing only two of their last 10 games in the competition.
Team news
Northern Ireland are missing the injured Jordan Thompson and Brodie Spencer while goalkeeper Conor Hazard and defender Eoin Toal face fitness tests and Jonny Evans has retired from international football.
Ross County striker Ronan Hale is switching his international allegiance, having played for the Republic of Ireland at youth level, but is not yet eligible.
Luxembourg defender Maxime Chanot and forward Danel Sinani are suspended and striker Yvandro Borges Sanches remains sidelined.
Chris Brites has been promoted from the Under-17 team but midfielder Olivier Thill has again been omitted due to a dispute with the management.
The stats
Both teams have scored in only two of Northern Ireland's last nine internationals.
Northern Ireland have opened the scoring in their last five games.
Liverpool's Bradley has scored three goals in his last three international appearances.
Luxembourg have lost their last three away matches to nil.
The visitors have suffered only two defeats in their last 10 Nations League games.
Striker Gerson Rodrigues has scored five of Luxembourg's last eight goals.
Prediction
Northern Ireland will expect to make a winning start to their Nations League campaign although O'Neill has named an inexperienced squad after the retirements of Evans, Steven Davis and Stuart Dallas in the last year.
Scoring goals remains an issue for the hosts while Luxembourg have lost their last three away matches to nil against Georgia, France and Belgium.
Northern Ireland were thumped 5-1 in June by Spain, who went on to be crowned European champions, but their defensive record is generally sound.
Backing one or both teams to score has been a winning bet in seven of their last nine games and it looks a solid selection again.
Luxembourg's Rodrigues has a respectable record of 21 goals in 63 caps but fellow forward Sinani, who plays for Bundesliga newcomers St Pauli, is a significant absentee for the visitors.
Their most recent away fixture in the Nations League produced a 3-3 draw with Turkey in September 2022 but Thursday's clash at Windsor Park is likely to be far more cagey.
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