World Cup Qualifier Preview: Northern Ireland - v - Czech Republic

NORTHERN IRELAND

Remarkably Northern Ireland can wrap up second place in their World Cup qualifying group with just a point in their third last qualifier which takes place on Monday. They are seven points clear of third placed Czech Republic who must win at Windsor Park (kick off 7.45pm) if they are to keep their hopes of making Russia 2018 alive.

While a draw won’t quite guarantee a play-off position for the North, it will give them a great chance in avoiding being the one second placed team in the European Qualifiers that will miss out on a World Cup playoff.

Speaking at Sunday’s press conference manager Michael O'Neill noted the achievements of his team so far and how they will be looking for a win in front of the Windsor Park home supporters.

“To be where we are in rankings and the qualifying table, the players deserve massive praise,” said O’Neill. “We have raised the expectations. The prize is greater for us. We need a win for second place. The energy in the stadium will be fabulous and we need it."

When Northern Ireland travelled to Prague at the start of the qualifying campaign, they drew 0-0 but since then they have really kicked on, winning five of their last six competitive games.

The only other points they have dropped was in the game away to Germany with the two goals conceded that night the only goals that ‘Norn Iron’ have given away since the point in Prague.

Last Friday night, Josh Magennis scored two second half goals away to San Marino. When his team won a penalty, Magennis looked to take it to complete his hat trick. Speaking to irishfa.com, Magennis joked “I was kindly declined. Steven Davis is the captain of the team and what he says goes when Michael (O'Neill) isn't around.”

Davis tucked the penalty kick away to complete the 3-0 win and the captain speaking at Sunday’s press conference echoed his manager’s thoughts on seeking the win on Monday.

"We will be going for the win as that is the mentality of the group,” said Davis. “It'll be tough but obviously the win is what we want. It'll be another tough game like in Prague. We defended well there but will want to show our attacking quality this time.”

Speaking to irishfa.com, Davis noted that even though they only need a point for second place "the mentality doesn't change, we want to win every game. We are obviously on a good run at the minute and we are strong at Windsor.

"We're in a great position. We would have bit your hand off for this position before a ball was kicked in the group. The ball is in our court. We want to go out and do something special again. We have that desire and hunger."

Of course with Germany still to come to Belfast next month, if Michael O’Neill’s men can get a win over the Czech Republic, they give themselves some hope that they can overcome the five point deficit over the World Champions.

However with Germany playing home to Norway on Monday and home to Azerbaijan on the final night of the group stages, top spot looks likely out of reach.

CZECH REPUBLIC

With their two remaining matches after Monday in Group C coming away to Azerbaijan and home to San Marino, the Czechs will bring ambition to Belfast of overhauling the seven point deficit to pip Northern Ireland to second place in the group.

Whatever about those games to come though, they know that the simple scenario is that without a victory in Belfast on Monday their World Cup dream will be over.

The Czech Republic come into the game having won only two qualifiers so far in the Russia 2018 campaign, a 2-1 home win to Norway and a facile 6-0 victory away to San Marino.

There was late drama for the Czech’s on Friday in Prague when they looked like they were going to be the first team to take points of Germany in the qualifiers.

Having conceded an early fourth minute goal, Vladimir Darida scored from distance to equalise with 12 minutes to go but Mat Hummels broke Czech hearts with a goal two minutes from time.

Manager Karel Jarolim made the decision for that game to rest players who were carrying yellow cards - Pavel Kaderabek, Tomas Horava, Ladislav Krejci and Borek Dockal – showing that he have given some priority to this upcoming game in Belfast.

Speaking at the press conference on the eve of the game, Jarolim was taking positives from the performance in Prague against Germany – even if the result didn’t go their way.

"We were disappointed with the result, but certainly not the game,” said Jarolim as reported by fotbal.idness.cz. “We have to build on that performance. We know that if we want to keep hope for second place, we have to win.”

His team will have to beat Michael McGovern who has kept four clean sheets in a row in the qualifiers. Karolin knows his need to start brightly against a team who scored early in their last home qualifier against Norway.

"We have to avoid what happened to Germany when we went into a match with some intent and conceded a goal in the fourth minute.”

The Czech coach had three playing spells and three managerial spells with Slavia Prague. His most recent club appointment prior to taking over the national team was with Mlada Boleslav where he won the Czech cup last year.

He took over the team after their disappointing outing at last year’s European Championship in France where the lost to Spain and Turkey, either side of a 2-2 draw with Croatia in Saint Etienne.

Referee: Daniele Orsato (Italy)

MATCH STATS

The teams have met on five occasions previous to Monday’s match in Belfast. The Czech’s won the first two encounters, with three successive scoreless draws to follow. Northern Ireland have only scored once against the Czech Republic. Northern Ireland beat Czechoslovakia twice in the 1958 World Cup, winning 1-0 in the Group Stage and 2-1 after extratime in the play-off en-route to the quarter-final.

Northern Ireland are unbeaten in competitive action in Belfast for four years. Portugal were the last team to come to Windsor Park and win a qualifier.

On four occasions Northern Ireland have taken part in the World Cup but the last time they qualified was for Mexico ’86. Having made their mark on UEFA 2016 they are seeking now to qualify for back-to-back major championships for the first time ever.

BETTING

Northern Ireland 17/10; Draw 21/10; Czech Republic 13/8.

PREDICTION

1-0 home win

Northern Ireland

Injured: Craig Cathcart, Gareth McAuley.

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

Czech Republic

Injured: None

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

Extratime.ie will be covering Monday’s game live from Windsor Park.