Kosovo vs Northern Ireland Predictions

• Kosovo have lost four of their last five home games, failing to score in three of them.
• Northern Ireland have won four, drawn one and lost three of their last eight away contests.
• Fewer than four goals have been scored in 13 of Kosovo’s last 14 games and nine of the last ten for Northern Ireland.

Frustrated teams look to kickstart their Nations League promotion bids 

Two teams looking to exercise their frustrations will meet in Pristina on Thursday and Northern Ireland look good value to come away from Kosovo with a positive result. There was no lack of positivity from Ian Baraclough when he said his side would be targeting 12 points from the opening four Nations League C games during this get together.

But a 1-0 home defeat to Greece followed by a dismal 0-0 draw with minnows Cyprus has left Northern Ireland with a lot of work to do if they are to challenge for promotion back to League B. Like some of the other home nations, the Green and White Army have looked a little off their usual pace so far, but there can be no excuses now after two games in the space of a week.

Baraclough’s side almost snatched three points in Larnaca when Ali McCann missed from point-blank range in the final moments and there were some positives to take from that trip as several youngsters were blooded. This clash will not be for the naive or faint-hearted as Kosovo are hurting too following their 1-0 home loss to Greece and will use every trick in the book to make amends.

Trouble bubbling under in Kosovo camp

Dardanet coach Alain Giresse is without two key players through suspension after goalkeeper Ari Muric and defender Fidan Aliti were sent off against the Greeks while there are signs of unrest elsewhere in the camp. Striker Vedat Muriqi was seen to be berating winger Edon Zhegrova on several occasions and there has also been consternation about other players refusing invitations and call-ups of late.

It could be a good time to play Kosovo for Northern Ireland and the hosts’ record of four defeats from their last five at home will offer Baraclough’s boys encouragement to go for all three points. We’re taking them to win in the draw no bet market because, although they have won half of their away games in the last 12 months, we cannot forget the missed chances against Cyprus.

A 1-0 away victory might be the most Northern Ireland can muster here given they have failed to score in four of their last five games, but Kosovo have similarly failed to register in three of their last five at home.