PATHETIC in Pristine screamed the headlines after Northern Ireland's latest humiliation against Kosovo, but that will be nothing compared with the outcry if they can't beat Cyprus in Belfast.
Ian Baraclough is now under serious pressure after their latest dismal display – a 3-2 defeat in Kosovo – which basically leaves them battling it out with the Mediterranean island outfit to avoid bottom spot.
They've lost three of their last four games and three of those were without scoring. That was the final straw for the Northern Irish fans who well and truly turned on him following this latest loss.
Over 500 travelled to the Balkans and chanted ‘cheerio' as he went to acknowledge them after the game and it's hard to see him winning them back after this latest defeat.
They are playing a Cypriot side ranked 105th in the world and who have won one game out of their last 14 games and that was at home to Estonia.
Their only point in the group came against Northern Ireland last Sunday and they have now failed to net in four of their last five games.
How the bookies view it
Despite their troubles, Northern Ireland enjoy clear favouritism here and are 8/13 to finally win a match under Baraclough with SBK. The Cypriots can be backed at 5/1 with UniBet and the draw is 16/5 with bet365.
Recent head to heads
The sides fought out a goalless draw as can be seen below. In fact, the last three games between the nations have finished in a 0-0 draw.
Players to watch
Shane Lowery netted his first goal since August in Northern Ireland's 3-2 defeat to Kosovo and the Blackpool striker will be looking to build upon it. He is 13/8 to score.
Cyprus striker Pieros Sotiriou has netted 23 goals in 40 appearances this season for his club and country and the Ludogorets striker is 11/4 to net anytime at Windsor Road.
Anything else catch the eye?
As bad as Northern Ireland have been recently they'd be as well shutting the doors if they can't get the better of an awful Cyprus side.
Surely they will get a reaction in front of their Windsor Park crowd and they should be able to cover a -1 handicap at 7/4 with McBookie.com
Cyprus struggle badly anyway, but they have a particularly acute problem in scoring goals – they have failed to net in five of their last seven matches.
It's hard to see them penetrating the Northern Irish defence here too and the 31/20 with UniBet for the hosts to win to nil is perfectly acceptable.
This UEFA Nations League match between Northern Ireland and Cyprus will be played on Jun 12, 2022 and kick off at 14:00. Check below for our tipsters best Northern Ireland vs Cyprus prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
