Kosovo v Northern Ireland betting tips: Pressure on for points in Pristina
Kosovo v Northern Ireland betting tips, odds and preview
The pressure is on Northern Ireland to produce an improved performance when they face Kosovo in their third Nations League game.
Ian Baraclough’s men were hoping to win their group but only have one point from their first two games and another poor result would go a long way to ending their chances.
Thursday’s match in Pristina kicks off at 7.45pm and is live on Premier Sports as we pick out some Kosovo v Northern Ireland betting tips.
Goals in short supply
Northern Ireland’s winless record in this competition extended to 12 games as the top seeds in Group 2 – having been relegated to League C – followed last Thursday’s 1-0 home defeat to Greece with a goalless draw in Cyprus.
The manager, players and 600 travelling fans had certainly expected more against a side who only reached League C after beating Estonia in a play-off, and the draw left Northern Ireland already five points behind Greece, who won 1-0 against nine-man Kosovo.
Baraclough believes his side can still recover and said: “We’ve only played two games. If we listen and start getting negative about everything we may as well pack up. Negativity breeds more negativity. People don’t feel great about themselves. Give people a chance to pick themselves up. Get ready to go against Kosovo.”
"It's a tough time to be Northern Ireland manager."
👊 David Healy and Chris Brunt reflect on a 0-0 draw for Northern Ireland v Cyprus. pic.twitter.com/4KxSwh2EOm
— Premier Sports (@PremierSportsTV) June 5, 2022
The disappointing display will put pressure on Baraclough, who goes into Thursday’s match having won only three of his 18 competitive games in charge, and with his side having failed to score in six of their last nine.
They are 14/5 underdogs to get their first win of the campaign and 6/5 to fail to find the net again, with a home win to nil an obvious option for Kosovo v Northern Ireland betting tips at 2/1.
Baraclough’s options limited
Northern Ireland were plagued by the same problems against Cyprus that cost them against Greece at Windsor Park, with too many misplaced passes and mistimed runs in a disjointed performance.
With a list of absentees in this window that includes Stuart Dallas, Corry Evans, Craig Cathcart and Josh Magennis, Baraclough is without some big hitters and trying to integrate several youngsters.
Shea Charles started in Lanarca, days after a surprise debut against Greece, while Brodie Spencer and Conor McMenamin made second-half debuts, taking the number of players handed first caps by Baraclough to 13.
“We’ve got 11-12 players that would be on this trip that would make a big difference,” added Baraclough. “That’s no slight on the players that are here but clearly we’re not as strong without those players.
“We’re having to learn what they’ve got about them. One or two might be real bright stars that stay with the group when the others come back and others might find themselves maybe not. If you don’t give them a chance how are you going to find out?
“You’d love to have free-flowing football and be taking teams apart but the reality is we’re in a building phase and when we’re looking at players we can’t be too critical on them.”
👊 Steven Davis from one end of the pitch to the other to break up the Cyprus attack.
🤝 Leading by example for @NorthernIreland.#CYPNI pic.twitter.com/kwgIdqUSDv
— Premier Sports (@PremierSportsTV) June 5, 2022
Kosovo are hardly blessed with much attacking quality themselves, having only scored five goals in eight matches as they finished bottom of their World Cup qualifying group.
Opposing goals may be the best option for Kosovo v Northern Ireland betting tips and under 1.5 is priced at 6/4, while a goalless first half is 6/5.
Kosovo do at least have a win on the board after a 2-0 victory in Cyprus last week when they had seven shots on target without facing one.
A 1-0 win for the hosts appeals at 9/2 while under 1.5 goals in the first half, under 2.5 goals in the second half and either team to win is available at 11/10 in the #YourCall markets.
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
