Luxembourg vs Northern Ireland predictions, team news, betting tips, odds and Bet Builder

Luxembourg vs Northern Ireland kick-off, date & TV info

Date Thursday, September 4
Kick-off 7.45pm
Venue Stade de Luxembourg, Luxembourg City
Competition World Cup qualifier
TV BBC One Northern Ireland, BBC Three & BBC iPlayer

Northern Ireland kick off their World Cup qualifying campaign against familiar foes as they visit Luxembourg for the second time in less than 12 months.

The teams faced off in the Nations League and Northern Ireland went on to top the group so they will have high hopes for this clash. With games against Germany and Slovakia looming, this is approaching must-win territory for the visitors if they are to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in 40 years.

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Luxembourg vs Northern Ireland betting tips & predictions

Best bet

Northern Ireland
2pts 5-4 general

Player cards

Trai Hume to be shown a card
4-1 Hills

Longshot

Isaac Price first goalscorer
15-2 Coral, Ladbrokes

Luxembourg vs Northern Ireland preview

Twelve years ago Northern Ireland suffered one of the worst results in their recent history when they lost 3-2 to Luxembourg, who had not won a home World Cup qualifier since 1972.

They make the same journey on Thursday looking to avoid a similar fate against a side who have improved plenty since 2013. Luxembourg are now ranked 42 places higher in the Fifa rankings and have become something of a regular foe for the Green and White Army. This is the fifth meeting between the two teams in the last six years.

Northern Ireland were 2-0 winners at home when the pair met in their Nations League group last season but let a two-goal lead slip in the reverse fixture to draw 2-2.

The hosts have been embroiled in controversy following the conviction of their record goalscorer Gerson Rodrigues for domestic violence.

Former manager Luc Holtz, who had been in charge for 15 years, continued to play the striker before the Luxembourg Football Federation stepped in to ban Rodrigues and hired new boss Jeff Strasser in Holtz’s place.

This will be Strasser’s first game in charge but it may end in defeat. While Luxembourg have improved from 12 years ago, they are still the weakest team in this qualifying group, which also contains Germany and Slovakia.

The home side are without a win in seven competitive games and finished bottom of the Nations League group which Northern Ireland topped.

The visitors are suffering from injuries but have a crop of young players who have put in some impressive performances.

They beat Bulgaria 5-0 in October and held Switzerland to a draw in March despite the fact that eight of the 15 players that featured in that game were 21 or younger.

A young progressive-looking squad can put the memories of that night 12 years ago and the draw from last year firmly behind them with a crucial away win.

Hume a card candidate

Trai Hume may have to play slightly out of position in central defence and was booked twice in Northern Ireland's Nations League campaign.

Price key to visitors' attacking endeavours

Isaac Price has been in fine goalscoring form for his country, netting seven times in his last seven games and could repeat the trick in this one.

Luxembourg vs Northern Ireland Bet Builder

Isaac Price to score at any time

Not only has Isaac Price been in fine goalscoring form for Northern Ireland, he already has three goals for West Brom this season and looks his team's likeliest route to goal.

Dion Charles to have a shot on target

Dion Charles is likely to lead the line for the visitors and had a shot on target the last time that these two teams met.

Under 3.5 goals

Seven of Luxembourg's last eight competitive matches have gone under 3.5 goals and this looks likely to follow suit.

Pays out at 8-1 with bet365

Key stats for Luxembourg vs Northern Ireland

♦ Luxembourg are without a win in their last seven competitive games, losing four of those
♦ Northern Ireland scored first in six of their last seven games
♦ Both teams have scored in only one of Northern Ireland's last 11 matches
♦ Isaac Price has scored seven times in his last seven international appearances
♦ Luxembourg's 3-2 win in 2013 was the only time Northern Ireland have lost to these opponents in seven meetings

Luxembourg vs Northern Ireland betting odds

Sign up with Sky Bet to bet on Luxembourg vs Northern Ireland in World Cup qualifying. Here are the latest odds for Thursday's match.

Market	Odds
Luxembourg	17-10
Northern Ireland	5-4
Draw	13-5

Odds correct at time of publishing

Want more top football betting advice? Make sure you take a look at Racing Post Sport's tips for more of the latest picks from our experts.

Luxembourg vs Northern Ireland team news and predicted line-ups

Luxembourg

This is new boss Jeff Strasser's first game, so there is a certain amount of guesswork as to how they will line up. The hosts have suspended record goalscorer Gerson Rodrigues. so he will not feature, and they will also be without brothers Vincent and Sebastien Thill.

Veteran goalkeeper Anthony Moris returns after turning down a national team call-up in June.

Predicted line-up (4-2-3-1): Moris; Dzogovic, Korac, Carlson, Jans; Barreiro, Moreira; Bohnert, Sanches, O Thill; Sinani
Subs: Veiga, Selimovic, Olesen, Cruz, Dardari, Muratovic, Curci

Northern Ireland

The visitors have a long list of absentees including Dan Ballard, Paul Smyth, Ciaron Brown, Brodie Spencer, Jordan Thompson, Conor Hazard and Pierce Charles. Brad Lyons is also a doubt.

The uncapped Ryan Johnston, Jamie McDonnell and Kofi Balmer could all make their debuts.

Predicted line-up (3-4-2-1): Peacock-Farrell; McConville, McNair, Hume; Bradley, McCann, S Charles, Saville; Devenny, Price; D Charles
Subs: Galbraith, Toal, Devlin, Donley, Boyd-Munce, Taylor, Marshall

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FAQs for Luxembourg vs Northern Ireland

When is Luxembourg vs Northern Ireland in World Cup qualifiying?

The game between Luxembourg and Northern Ireland will take place on Thursday September 4 at 7.45pm.

Where is Luxembourg vs Northern Ireland being played?

The qualifier between Luxembourg and Northern Ireland will be played at the Stade de Luxembourg, Luxembourg City in Luxembourg

Where can I watch Luxembourg vs Northern Ireland?

This qualifier will be available to watch on BBC One Northern Ireland, BBC Three and BBC iPlayer.

What is the match betting for Luxembourg vs Northern Ireland?

Northern Ireland are 5-4 favourites to win this while Luxembourg are 17-10 chances at the draw is 13-5.

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Joe CaseyRacing Post Sport

Published on 3 September 2025inWorld Cup