Norway v Northern Ireland preview: Michael O'Neill may risk player bans
Sunday 8 October 2017 18:38, UK
Northern Ireland could field six players who are one card away from suspension when they look to make sure of a World Cup Qualifying play-off place against Norway on Sunday, live on Sky Sports.
With the eight best runners-up from the nine groups securing a play-off spot, Michael O'Neill's men are well positioned, despite a 3-1 defeat to Germany on Thursday that ended their four-year unbeaten home streak.
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If Scotland fail to beat Slovenia in the early kick-off on Sunday, Northern Ireland would secure a play-off place, but if Scotland win then Northern Ireland will need a win, draw or even a one-goal defeat to make sure of a play-off place.
That would mean O'Neill may risk the likes of Steven Davis and Jonny Evans, who are both a game away from suspension, in order to get the result they need.
"There is a real importance to the fact that we make sure of the result in Norway because obviously we want to try and get three points, and we certainly want to make sure we're not beaten," said O'Neill. "Equally, we can't allow ourselves to field an inexperienced team and be beaten and then suddenly lose out on goal difference."
Northern Ireland's only two defeats in Group C have been against Germany and they beat Norway 2-0 in the reverse fixture.
Norway should come into the fixture with confidence, though, having beaten San Marino 8-0 in their last match.
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If Northern Ireland's play-off place is secured, O'Neill may make changes in a bid to avoid suspensions.
Along with Evans and Davis, four other players - Corry Evans, Josh Magennis, Oliver Norwood and Stuart Dallas - are one booking away from a ban.
Norway will be without Bournemouth striker Joshua King after he suffered a hamstring injury against San Marino.
Opta stats
These two teams have met eight times in all competitions, with Norway winning six and Northern Ireland winning twice.
Northern Ireland have won their last two away World Cup qualifiers, they've never won three in a row.
Northern Ireland have found the net in all six of their international games in 2017 (10 goals, 1.67 per game).
Josh Magennis has scored three goals in his last three World Cup Qualifying games; no Northern Irishman has scored more in this qualifying campaign (Kyle Lafferty also three).
Northern Ireland have kept a clean sheet in seven of their nine qualifiers in Group C, with Germany being the only side to have scored a goal past Michael O'Neill's side in the group (five goals conceded).
Norway have won two of their last three games in all competitions, as many as they had won in their previous 11.
