Prediction: Kazakhstan vs Northern Ireland

Verdict: Kazakhstan double chance

Best Odds: 4/7

Bookmaker: Dachbet

Looking to make an immediate return to winning ways on Sunday afternoon, Kazakhstan will welcome Northern Ireland to Astana for a Group H showdown.

Kazakhstan

Starting with the hosts, missing out on what they would have billed as a real opportunity earlier in the week, there is no doubt that Kazakhstan will be seeking an immediate response here. Eventually putting in a toothless display on home soil as they slumped to what could be a costly 1-0 loss at the hands of Finland, the Hawks will be desperate to prove that performance was nothing more than a minor blip. Although Magomed Adiyev’s side might have opened up their European Championship qualifying adventure tipped as a landslide underdog to find a route out of Group H, Sunday’s hosts have certainly gained a string of plaudits. Mustering nine points from their five qualifying appearances and opening this weekend’s showdown in Astana sat just a single point adrift of breaking into the top-two, Kazakhstan will be more than aware that they face a crucial battle this weekend.

Team News

While attacking talisman Abat Aymbetov might have drawn a blank against Finland earlier in the week, the 28-year-old will once again spearhead Kazakhstan’s charge at his home stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Forced to settle for a spot on the bench against Finland, 25-year-old Ramazan Orazov could be handed a full recall here. Veteran shot-stopper Igor Shatskiy will earn his 20th international cap this weekend and start between the sticks in Astana.

Northern Ireland

As for the visitors, while Northern Ireland might have had their sights set on mounting a genuine top-two charge earlier in the year, it is fair to say that Michael O’Neil’s side are at the heart of a major struggle. Marking their return to qualifying duties earlier in the week with an action-packed 4-2 loss away at Slovenia, the one-time Stoke boss does appear to have some mounting pressure on his shoulders. In fact, the Green and Whites have now lost each of their previous four straight Group H appearances by an aggregate score of 7-2. Facing what could be another stern challenge this weekend, Northern Ireland should also be worried by their most recent meeting against Sunday’s hosts. It should be noted, when O’Neil’s side welcomed Kazakhstan to Belfast back on June 19th, they slumped to a 1-0 defeat.

Team News

Limping off midway through the first-half against Slovenia earlier in the week, Northern Ireland look set to be without Oxford’s Ciaron Brown here. 36-year-old Craig Cathcart could be handed a full recall on Sunday afternoon.

Forced to settle for a spot on the bench in midweek, Wigan striker Josh Magennis could be handed the chance to spearhead O’Neil’s charge here. Former Leeds shot-stopper Bailey Peacock-Farrell will once again start between the sticks in Astana.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides met for their reverse Group H showdown back on June 19th, Kazakhstan picked up a 1-0 victory on foreign soil.
• Northern Ireland have lost each of their last four qualifying appearances on the spin by an aggregate score of 7-2.
• Sunday’s guests have also lost four of their previous five away fixtures across all competitions.
• Despite suffering a hard-fought 1-0 loss at the hands of Finland in midweek, Kazakhstan have still collected nine points from their five qualifying appearances.
• Likewise, Sunday’s hosts have also won four of their previous six showdowns in Astana.

Conclusion

Slumping to that frustrating 1-0 loss at home against Finland earlier in the week, Kazakhstan will be more than aware that they face a must-win showdown here. Smelling the chance to claim an immediate boost on Sunday afternoon, Adiyev’s side should be relishing Northern Ireland’s arrival here. Landing that eye-catching 1-0 win when they travelled to Belfast for their reverse Group H meeting on June 19th, the Hawks will be looking to make a statement this weekend. With Sunday’s guests now losing each of their last four straight qualifying showdowns by an aggregate score of 7-2, a home double chance can be found at appealing odds in Astana.

Verdict: Kazakhstan double chance

Best Odds: 4/7

Bookmaker: Dachbet