Prediction: Northern Ireland vs United States

Prediction: USA win

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: 888sport

There are plenty of important international fixtures taking place over the course of the next few days, as has been the case throughout the week – but this isn’t one of them. In the midst of a global pandemic there seems to be this idea that putting on international friendlies is a good idea, when it really isn’t. Still, Northern Ireland and the United States will still meet at Windsor Park in a game that probably isn’t going to make much of an impact one way or the other.

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland have gone from gritty qualifiers for the Euros to a team who just can’t string together a strong passage of play, let alone a goal. Some will trace this back to their failure to qualify for this year’s Euros through the playoffs but in reality, this decline has been a long time coming. They need to work on bringing through some exciting new youngsters because otherwise they could be destined for irrelevancy.

Team News

Jones withdrew from NI’s squad with Niall McGinn taking his place. Elsewhere, Lewis is set to recover from an injury that ruled him out during the week with Dion Charles and Liam Hughes hoping to make their full international debuts.

United States

Between their growing star power and the fact they’re hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2026, we’d say Americans are right to feel optimistic about the direction of the national team. They’re starting to put a system in place that could really bode well for them when 2026 rolls around but even before that, we think they could do some damage at the 2022 World Cup if they’re able to qualify – which is why they’re so interesting to watch right now.

Team News

Adams and Weah will be unable to play due to COVID-19 protocols with Gioacchini being called up to the squad. Cannon and Brooks were both with the squad for the game against Jamaica but they have now returned to their respective clubs.

Factors to Consider

• As far as we can tell, this is the first international meeting between Northern Ireland and the United States.
• Northern Ireland have drawn one and lost five of their last six games.
• United States have won five and drawn one of their last six games.
• Northern Ireland have scored three goals and conceded nine in their last six games.
• United States have scored 24 goals and conceded three in their last six games.

Conclusion

Many of USA’s games recently haven’t been done in a competitive environment, and neither will this one. Northern Ireland are beaten and battered and we don’t think they’ll be exactly up for the fight, in a game that could prove why the USMNT are tipped to do big things over the course of the next few years. We don’t think it’s going to be an embarrassment but we do expect the United States to roll them over in a 2-0 win.

Prediction: USA win

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: 888sport