World Cup
2012-09-07 - Russia vs Northern Ireland
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: UEFA World Cup 2014 Qualifier
Friday 7 September 2012 - Kick Off 4pm
Russia
Russia looked the real deal after demolishing the Czech Republic in their opening game at the Euro 2012 tournament that took place over the Summer, but a couple of poor performances saw them knocked out of the tournament at the Group Stage. Dick Advocaat was removed as manager and it is Fabio Capello, well known to England followers, that has taken over the reigns.
This isn't the easiest of Groups for Russia to negotiate if they are going to get to Brazil as they will face Portugal as their biggest rivals. That means they will concentrate on trying to win their home games and the game against Northern Ireland is one they really don't want to be dropping points to if they are to qualify.
The team have generally responded well to their home games in qualifiers over the last few seasons, going 7-1-2 when attempting to qualify for the tournaments in South Africa and Poland/Ukraine. Their defeats came to Germany and Slovakia, while Russia have generally seen off the 'weaker' nations in front of their own fans.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland have not quite been able to get over the hump and once again qualify for a major international tournament, but they have had some big performances at times, although not showing the consistency to actually finish in a top two position. With Portugal and Russia in the Group this time around, expectations are not there for the nation.
Israel are another nation in the Group and the best the Northern Irish staff can hope for is solid showing that may improve their rankings and give them better opportunities to qualify in the coming years. Unfortunately, they don't have the talent pool to call upon, while there is some controversies that have seen players decide to play for the Republic of Ireland rather than the Northern Ireland team.
They have a 2-3-5 record in away qualifiers over the last few seasons, but you can't write off a Northern Ireland team that has won their game in Slovenia, while also earning draws in the Czech Republic and Poland, nations that have qualified for the main draw in international tournaments.
Paddy McGourt, Shane Ferguson and Martin Peterson have all been ruled out for the trip to Moscow.
Head to Head
These two nations have not met since the split of the Soviet Union and their last meeting was back in the 1971 season.
On that occasion, the Soviet Union were 1-0 winners in Moscow.
Prediction
Northern Ireland have a tough task in front of them here and it is one that I think will be a step too far for them and they have already left some players at home for the game against Luxembourg next week.
On the other hand, Russia will be looking to get their new qualifying campaign off to a fast start and I think they will be fully zoned in to do so after their poor Euro 2012 efforts.
They have been tough to play here in recent qualifiers and it has taken some of the better European nations to earn the points from a trip to Moscow, a category that Northern Ireland are not a part of.
Russia have based their home success on a solid defence that earned 6 clean sheets in their last 10 home qualifiers. I don't want to under-estimate a Northern Ireland squad that scored in 4 of their 5 away qualifiers for the Euro 2012 tournament, but they did fail to get on the scoresheet in Italy and this may be the case again.
I won't go in big at all, but Russia to win to nil looks the call in this one.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Russia 2-0 Northern Ireland
BEST BETTING TIP :
I'll back Russia Win to Nil @ 1.83 (Coral)
