Prediction: Bosnia-Herzegovina vs Northern Ireland

Verdict: Bosnia-Herzegovina win

Best Odds: 8/13

Bookmaker: Bet365

Looking to carry on their impressive unbeaten run, Bosnia will welcome a struggling Northern Ireland side to the Stadion Grbavica in the UEFA Nations League on Monday night.

Bosnia-Herzegovina

While Bosnia may have enjoyed a late push at the end of their World Cup qualifying campaign, Robert Prosinečki’s side couldn’t book a spot in Russia. However, picking up two wins in their opening UEFA Nations League outings, Monday’s hosts remain in pole position to book promotion to League A. Securing a 2-1 win away at Northern Ireland last month, Bosnia also impressed in their 1-0 win over Austria. Now unbeaten in their last seven matches in all competitions, it will be their recent defensive record most impressing Prosinečki. The Dragons have now kept a clean sheet in five of the matches in their unbeaten run. In the final third, one man to watch for the hosts will be Roma striker Edin Dzeko. Bosnia’s all-time leading goalscorer has now scored four in his last three for club and country.

Team News

Uncapped, third-choice goalkeeper Vedran Kjosevski is the only domestic-based player in the squad. The hosts are set to return to full-strength, after some rotation last week.

Northern Ireland

As for the visitors, while Northern Ireland were in touching distance of securing their place at this summers World Cup finals, they also couldn’t book their place in Russia. Since falling to their 1-0 aggregate defeat to Switzerland, Michael O’Neill’s side have struggled in the inaugural UEFA Nations League. Coming off the back of a 1-0 loss to Austria over the weekend, The Greens are without a point in their opening two matches and are favorites for relegation. Now losing three of their last four, it has been their record away from Windsor Park that has been their major issue. Failing to win any of their last five matches on the road since their 3-0 win over San Marino back in September 2017, they have also failed to score in any of those five away matches.

Team News

Striker Liam Boyce has recovered from injury and is available for selection. The Burton Albion forward was a fitness doubt after a knee injury forced him to sit out Friday’s defeat by Austria.

However, the visitors will be without forwards Will Grigg and Kyle Lafferty.

Key Factors to Consider

• Seven of Bosnia’s last nine matches have ended with under 2.5 goals.
• The hosts are also unbeaten in their last seven matches in all competitions (W4, D3).
• Northern Ireland have failed to win any of their last five matches away from home (L3, D2).
• They have also failed to find the net in any of those five outings.
• The last time the two sides met in September Bosnia came away with a 2-1 win.

Conclusion

On paper, Robert Prosinečki will see this as a dream opportunity to extend his 100% start to the tournament. With Northern Ireland failing to find the net in their last five matches away from home, coupled with Bosnia’s impressive form on their seven game unbeaten run, we’re backing the hosts to come away with the three points on Monday.

Verdict: Bosnia-Herzegovina win

Best Odds: 8/13

Bookmaker: Bet365