Bosnia have extra quality in key areas to win without conceding

Nations League
Sky Sports Football, 7.45pm Monday

Northern Ireland lost their opening two Nations League matches and are likely to remain pointless after taking on group leaders Bosnia in Sarejevo.

There has been a change of approach from Northern Ireland, who are adapting to a high pressing style of play, and there have been positives to take from their performances.

Michael O'Neill's men lead the Group 3 shot statistics with 34 attempts, comfortably more than Austria's total of 23 and more than three times Bosnia's tally of 11.

But Northern Ireland have lacked quality in front of goal and that is unlikely to change.

Of the forwards in the squad, Josh Magennis has four goals from 39 games, Will Grigg two from 13, Liam Boyce one from 14 and Kyle Vassell none from one.

Magennis lead the line during Friday's 1-0 defeat in Austria and should get the gig again because Grigg has been ruled out with a hamstring strain and Boyce is struggling with a knee injury.

The Bolton forward's physical style will help to bring other players into the game but Northern Ireland's best hope of a goal could be from a set-piece, where Premier League centre-backs Craig Cathcart and Jonny Evans can lend their support to the attack.

Bosnia may be discomforted by Northern Ireland's energetic approach but their extra quality in key areas should win them the game.

Juventus's Miralem Pjanic is one of the finest midfielders in Serie A and Edin Dzeko has scored 53 goals at international level – 23 more than the entire Northern Ireland squad.

The hosts should justify odds-on favouritism but are a more attractive bet at 11-8 to win to nil.

Recommendation
Bosnia win to nil
1pt 11-8 BoyleSports

Bet on this match at Soccerbase.com

Team news
Bosnia
Hoffenheim defender Ermin Bicakcic withdrew from the squad due to an injury.

Northern Ireland
Will Grigg (hamstring) has joined Kyle Lafferty (Achilles) on the sidelines and Liam Boyce (knee) is a doubt.

Key stat
Northern Ireland have failed to score in their last five away games.

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