Friday's international football predictions: Luxembourg no longer serial losers

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Friday's international matches.

Where to watch

Norway v Slovakia
Sky Sports red button 5pm Friday

Luxembourg v Northern Ireland
Sky Sports Premier League 7.15pm Friday

Best bets

Luxembourg draw no bet
1pt 5-4 general

Norway
2pts 7-10general

Betting preview

Luxembourg used to be among the whipping boys of international football but they have achieved better results in recent years and can register a notable success over Northern Ireland in a friendly at the Stade de Luxembourg.

Northern Ireland have travelled with an under-strength squad because first choice goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell will not join them until after the weekend and defenders Paddy McNair and Conor Bradley are injured.

And there are doubts over how much centre-back Jonny Evans can contribute - he has not started a game for Leicester, since December.

Head coach Ian Baraclough has a difficult task with selection and his team could be in for a tough game against a side who won three of their eight World Cup qualifiers, including a memorable 1-0 success away to Ireland.

Dynamo Kyiv striker Gerson Rodrigues, who is on a season-long loan with French top-flight side Troyes, was Luxembourg's match-winner in Dublin but the home side possess decent quality across the pitch and look overpriced to get the win.

Norway should have made a better fist of World Cup qualifying but they are likely to improve over the next few years and look a solid bet to see off Slovakia in their friendly in Oslo.

The Norwegians finished third behind the Netherlands and Turkey in Group G and that was disappointing given the quality they possess.

Erling Haaland is part of their squad and should get plenty of support, with Arsenal's Martin Odegaard pulling the strings in midfield and Southampton's Mohamed Elyounoussi offering pace out wide.

Overall, they appear to be a team destined for better things while Slovakia look like a side heading for a period of transition.

The Slovaks struggled in World Cup qualifying, finishing eight points behind second-placed Russia in Group H.

Veterans Marek Hamsik, Juraj Kucka and Robert Mak are not part of the squad and their absence increases the chances of a Norwegian victory.

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