World Cup 2018 Qualifier Preview: Northern Ireland -v- Norway

NORTHERN IRELAND

Sunday evening’s match in Belfast between Northern Ireland and Norway marks the half way point of the Russia 2018 Group C qualification campaign (kick off 7.45pm). A win for the home side will go a long way to keep Michael O’Neill’s men in the hunt for a World Cup berth.

O’Neill led his men to the most recent major tournament, with Northern Ireland acquitting themselves more than adequately in France at Euro 2016. O’Neill’s captain, speaking to irishfa.com, noted that his team have had a decent opening to their qualification process.

"Coming off the back of the Euros it was important to get off to a good start and we've managed to do that,” said Steven Davis. “We have another difficult game ahead of us but it's a chance to strengthen our position in the group."

The task of getting to the next tournament is a more difficult one than European qualification. For Russia 2018, there is just one automatic qualifying place from each group, with eight of the nine group runners up going into a playoff.

Northern Ireland did of course top their last qualifying group for Euro 2016 but with world champions Germany having already clear daylight between them and Northern Ireland, the North’s more realistic qualification hope will be through the playoff route.

They are well positioned for that as they sit second in the table, five points behind Germany, with Norway back in fifth on just three points. Northern Ireland have earned two wins in the campaign so far, both 4-0 victories at Windsor Park (against San Marino and Azerbaijan). They drew away with the Czech Republic and lost 2-0 in Hannover to Germany. They will face the World Champions in Belfast in October.

"I think it is great we have raised expectations over the last 18 to 24 months,” said Davis the Southampton midfielder, “but there is still a realism in the team that we have to be at our best to go out and get results consistently.

Stirker Conor Washington is another player looking forward to playing in front of the green and white army at home. “I really look forward to playing games at the National Football Stadium. It’s a brilliant atmosphere and sends shivers down your spine,” said Washington.

‘This is a big game. Norway are going to want to get on some sort of run to steal our spot essentially. It’s really important that at home we put down a marker.”

Michael O’Neill confirmed on Saturday that defender Aaron Hughes and midfielder Corry Evans will miss the game through injury, while striker Josh Magennis is highly doubtful for the game. Shane Ferguson is suspended.

NORWAY

On a four game competitive losing streak away from home, Norway come to Windsor Park on Sunday knowing a win is required for them to get back in the hunt for a possible play-off spot for World Cup qualification.

They have just one win from the campaign so far, a 4-1 victory at home to San Marino. Their other three matches ended in defeat, including a 3-0 reversal at home to Germany.

Norway arrive in Belfast with a new manager in Lars Lagerback. He previously was part of a very successful managerial team for his native Sweden – where they qualified for five tournaments.

He led Iceland to France 2016 where they went all the way to the quarter-finals of the tournament (his former team face the Republic of Ireland in Dublin on Tuesday).

Lagerback came out of retirement to take over Norway last month. "This is a challenge that really motivates me," he said on his appointment. "Results so far in the World Cup qualifiers have not been good so we must be frank about where we are. However, I see the potential in this team."

He has given the captain’s armband to former Celtic player Stefan Johansen. The current Fulham midfielder hosted his international team mates at his club side’s training facilities this week. Norway have been using Fulham’s Motspur Park in the build up to the game in Belfast.

They hope that defender Tore Reginiussen will be available for Sunday’s match. The Rosenborg player sat out training as a precaution having picked up a head injury.

Referee: Hüseyin Göçek (Turkey).

MATCH STATS

The sides have met seven times in total but with just one win going to Northern Ireland. Only two of those games were in competitive action. In the 1976 Euro qualifiers, the North earned their only win over Norway – a 3-0 home victory.

Michael O’Neill’s men come into the game on the back of an unbeaten streak of seven home qualifiers that includes five wins.

Norway were the opposition in Michael O’Neill’s first game as an international manager. In 2012, they were the visitors to Windsor Park, emerging victorious over Northern Ireland with a 3-0 win.

BETTING

Northern Ireland 7/5; Draw 21/10; Norway 11/5.

PREDICTION

Northern Ireland 1 – 0 Norway

Northern Ireland

Injured: Aaron Hughes, Corry Evans, Will Grigg, Paddy McNair, Trevor Carson

Doubtful: Josh Magennis.

Suspended: Shane Ferguson.

Norway

Injured: None.

Doubtful: Tore Reginiussen.

Suspended: Haitam Aleesami.

Extratime.ie will be covering the match from Windsor Park on Sunday evening.