Northern Ireland v Greece preview: Michael O'Neill's men close on qualification
Thursday 8 October 2015 19:48, UK
Northern Ireland can book their place at a major tournament for the first time since 1986 with victory at home to Greece on Thursday.
Michael O'Neill's side require just two points from their remaining two games, the second of which being against Finland, to secure their spot at next summer's European Championships in France.
Kyle Lafferty's late stoppage-time equaliser salvaged a vital point at home to Hungary in their previous outing to put them on the cusp of qualification. However, the talismanic forward will miss Thursday's clash through suspension.
Northern Ireland began their qualification campaign with three consecutive victories for the first time in their history, the third being a 2-0 triumph against Greece in Athens.
For Greece, meanwhile, this has been a campaign to forget. The 2004 champions head to Windsor Park bottom of the group having failed to win any of their previous 11 matches, losing six and drawing five.
Team news
West Brom defender Jonny Evans is out of Thursday's game failing to shake off a hamstring injury. The former Manchester United centre-back missed training on Wednesday and remained with his Premier League club. He is, however, expected to join up with the squad on Thursday and may yet be available for the final qualifier against Finland on Sunday.
Evans' club team-mates Gareth McAuley and Chris Brunt are expected to feature having participated in training, while Paddy McNair and Craig Cathcart are expected to be drafted into the squad.
As mentioned there will be no Lafferty following his suspension, while Connor McLaughlin and Chris Baird are also banned from the game.
Opta stats
Northern Ireland have met Greece six times on the international stage, with the Green and White Army winning twice (L4).
Greece won on their last visit to Northern Ireland (2-0) back in April 2003, courtesy of a brace from Angelos Charisteas.
The suspended Kyle Lafferty has netted seven goals in eight games in qualifying; only Robert Lewandowski (10) and Thomas Muller (eight) have scored more.
Michael O'Neill's charges have lost only one of their last nine competitive matches, winning five (D3).
Since their last match against Greece, Northern Ireland have kept just one clean sheet in seven games.
Only San Marino (one) have scored fewer goals in qualifying than Greece (two).
Charlie Nicholas' prediction
Greece have been absolutely useless and they're in a total rebuild, both mentally and physically. Sometimes that can work against you but the demand will be there from a mad crowd and the sheer can help energy can help them do.
They will have to be structured at the back though and they are a major threat from set-pieces with Chris Brunt's delivery. I can see Northern Ireland winning this but perhaps sweating until the very end.
CHARLIE PREDICTS: Northern Ireland 1-0 Greece (Sky Bet odds - 4/1)
Betting
Sky Bet make Northern Ireland 5/4 favourites to secure the win they need to clinch a place in the finals with Greece 13/5 and the draw a 2/1. Michael O'Neill's men are unbeaten at home in qualifying and won the reverse fixture in Greece 2-0 and Sky Bet offer 8/1 for a repeat of that outcome. With top scorer Kyle Lafferty ruled out through suspension, Billy McKay and Will Grigg are 5/1 and 11/2 respectively to net the first goal, while Kostas Mitroglou is 5/2 to net anytime for the visitors.
Watch Northern Ireland v Greece live on Thursday, 7:30pm, Sky Sports 5 HD.
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