International
2005-08-17 - Malta vs Northern Ireland
A Sports Betting Pick by litmanen
Two incredibly weak international sides meet on Wednesday as Malta hosts Northern Ireland at National Stadium, Ta’Qali but it should still be a pretty straightforward win for the visitors who are made up generally of solid Championship or low-quality Premiership players.By no means am I arguing that this Northern Ireland side will achieve much in the next couple of years but so poor are Malta, because of their limited resources, that it is almost impossible to ignore the away win, especially given Irish coach Sanchez has named a strong squad for the game.
More famous for a holiday hotspot than their footballing skills, Malta has been on the back end of many thrashings in the last twelve months including a 7-0 home thrashing by Sweden and a 6-0 loss in the reverse but they do have one point to their name in seven qualifiers, holding Iceland here to a 0-0 draw.
The hosts enter this game without three key players which is no doubt a major blow to a side that struggles even at full strength. Coach, Horst Heese, misses Lillestrom forward Michael Mifsud through injury while Birkirkara FC forward Etienne Barbara and Valletta defender Jonathon Bondin are also missing through injury so Andrew Cohen is the only fit recognized striker.
Northern Ireland also face a long list of absentees as Chris Baird, Mark Clyde, Michael Duff, George McCartney, Tony Capaldi and Gareth McAuley all miss out leaving Lawrie Sanchez with only three available defenders so may have to employ a 3-5-2 formation with two wing-backs.
But on the last five occasions the sides have met, in the past twenty years, Northern Ireland has been victorious on each occasion – not conceding a single goal either.
Known for most famously in recent times for their 1298 minute scoring drought, ended by Leeds striker David Healy who should start this one, I expect a narrow away win.
The Pick :
Northern Ireland
Gooner’s Statistical Value Bet
Small value on the handicaps where Pinnacle’s 1.91 offer of Northern Ireland -3/4 seems the best bet although an under play or win to nil is not out of the question if available.
