Ireland and Northern Ireland may struggle to lift the malaise

International friendly
Sky Sports Football, 7.45pm Thursday

Ireland meet Northern Ireland in an international friendly which has more meaning than most, but it could be a low-quality affair.

Martin O’Neill, the former Northern Ireland captain, is now planning the downfall of the country he represented so well as a player.

And Michael O’Neill would dearly love to snap his side’s sorry away form at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

Paying punters will be hoping the significance of the first cross-border duel for seven-and-a-half years produces a feisty, action-packed affair, but there’s little in the formbook to suggest it is going to be anything of the kind.

Neither side scores many goals – Ireland fired a blank in their October double-header against Denmark and Wales and Northern Ireland haven’t found the net on the road in 14 months. Nor do they win many games. It’s one win in ten for the hosts and two in 11 for the visitors.

There’s a slight temptation to take the bigger price about Northern Ireland given they look the more progressive team.

Both have suffered shambolic Nations League campaigns and each will quite possibly have been relegated to Group C by the time they play their final group games on Sunday and Monday.

But Northern Ireland look to have fewer problems and have shown more whiffs of encouragement.

They have at least been positive in the Nations League, unloading 46 attempts on goal in their three group games. Ireland have mustered 18 in a trio of abject efforts.

Martin O’Neill’s back three and packed midfield have stifled the life out of a side who lack a decent striker and much in the way of creativity. If Northern Ireland can limit the forays of wide men Seamus Coleman and James McClean they are more than halfway to avoiding a difficult evening.

But Northern Ireland are also chronically short of quality in attack.

Maybe a set-piece – both teams carry a genuine threat from those if the delivery is good – or a mistake will settle it, but under 1.5 goals at 31-20 could be worth an interest.

Recommendation
Under 1.5 goals
1pt 31-20 Betfair

Bet on this match at Soccerbase.com

Team news

Ireland
Matt Doherty, Ciaran Clark, Greg Cunningham, Derrick Williams and Shane Long are out. Stephen Ward and Jon Walters were already crocked. Robbie Brady is fit after a year out.

Northern Ireland
Recalled frontman Kyle Lafferty is an injury doubt. Will Grigg is also crocked while Oliver Norwood, suspended against Austria, has been left out.

Key stat
Northern Ireland have not found the net in any of their last six away games.

Read every day for no-nonsense previews and expert sports betting tips

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport

Like us on Facebook RacingPostSport