San Marino vs Northern Ireland. FIFA World Cup European Qualifying Group C.
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Friday 1 September 2017 22:36, UK
Michael O'Neill will be forced into making changes in defence as his Northern Ireland side travel to San Marino for a World Cup Qualifier on Friday.
O'Neill will be without injured defenders Craig Cathcart and Gareth McAuley, meaning there could be a rejig at the back ahead of the match, live on Sky Sports Mix and SS Football (Red Button) from 7.30pm.
If everything goes to plan for Northern Ireland over the next two games, they could secure second spot in Group C and the chance to go into the World Cup play-off round, but the manager is confident his side can handle the pressure.
"Expectation is a good thing. There was a time there was no expectation so it is important we build on that and deal with it," O'Neill told the Belfast Telegraph.
"Our experiences in qualifying for France will help us with that. When you're a small nation and you haven't qualified for a major tournament in so long, it was important for us to go through the experience of doing that.
"We've handled this group really well. To be in the position we're in and to have only conceded in one game against the Germans, we have been in control and managed the games so well.
"We've had an assurance about us that we maybe didn't have as much in the qualification for France, so I think that's where the team has matured. It's a great position to be in and the players deserve the credit for that."
Jonny Evans has also flown out with the Northern Ireland squad despite a hamstring strain keeping him out of action for West Brom so far this term while Liam Boyce, Jamie Ward, Will Grigg and Paddy McNair miss out with injury.
Hearts full-back Michael Smith has replaced Cathcart in the squad for the upcoming Qualifiers, while Leeds United goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell could win his first full international cap.
San Marino's first choice goalkeeper Elia Benedettini will not feature as he has had to stay with his Serie B club Novara ahead of their upcoming match with Parma to fill in for Lorenzo Montipo.
Northern Ireland have won all three of their previous meetings with San Marino, scoring 11 unanswered goals in total.
This will be the first game between these two sides since October 2016, when Northern Ireland ran out 4-0 winners at Windsor Park.
Kyle Lafferty scored twice in the 4-0 win last year, making him Northern Ireland's top scorer in the 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign (three goals).
Northern Ireland are looking to win four consecutive international games for the first time in their history.
O'Neill's side are also looking to keep a fourth consecutive clean sheet; a feat they haven't achieved since 1986 (a run of six).
Northern Ireland have conceded just two goals in six games in 2018 World Cup Qualifying; only Group C leaders Germany have allowed fewer (1).
San Marino are currently on a 17-game losing streak, conceding 33 unanswered goals over their last six games.
Indeed, San Marino are yet to win a World Cup Qualifying game (D2 L60).
Well, these are the games where San Marino will try to be awkward and you've just got to go there, be professional and get the job done.
Kyle Lafferty was back in the goals for Hearts but I'm not his biggest fan. Their main man, for me, is still Steven Davis, so I'm going for him to lead them to a solid, if unspectacular, win.
CHARLIE PREDICTS: 0-2 (4/1 with Sky Bet)
Northern Ireland are just 1/100 for the victory with Sky Bet, putting San Marino up against odds of 50/1 and 12/1 just to secure a draw. O'Neill's men are 4/9 to qualify for the World Cup, but 500/1 to go on and triumph in Russia. Lafferty heads the first goalscorer betting at just 2/1, while Mattia Stefanelli is considered the hosts' main threat at 20/1 to net first.
