NORTHERN IRELAND restart the Michael O'Neill era with what should be the simplest of penalty kick openers against the worst team on the planet when they visit San Marino in their opening Euro 2024 qualifier.
O'Neill spent nine years in charge of Northern Ireland and led them to their first ever Euros in 2016 before leaving to go to Stoke City.
But the former Brechin City boss is back following the underwhelming tenure of ex-Motherwell manager Ian Baraclough and faces a sizeable rebuilding job. He's named four uncapped players in his new-look squad.
They, of course, face far bigger tests ahead having to play Finland next ahead of Denmark, Slovenia and Kazakhstan, but it's no exaggeration to say if they don't win and win well in Serravalle, they'd be as well shutting the doors.
It's been well documented how bad the 210th out of 210 teams in the FIFA rankings are and famously they have only have ever won one solitary match since they stumbled onto the international scene in 1990 – a 1-0 friendly win over Liechtenstein in 2004.
Recently, they drew and lost with Saint Lucia in November friendlies and drew with the Seychelles in September, although they did draw two Nations League games too. For San Marino, that's an improvement.
How the bookies view it
Odds of 1/14 for Northern Ireland with BetVictor are actually more generous than teams playing them usually get. San Marino can be backed at 55/1 with Coral and the draw is 10/1 with bet365.
Recent head to heads
Northern Ireland have won all four meetings between the nations and have not conceded a goal. They won 3-0 in their last visit here in 2017.
Players to watch
Matteo Vitaioli is San Marino captain and joint top scorer in the squad…with one goal in 81 appearances. The La Fiorita striker scored that goal against Lithuania seven years ago. He is odds-on though and 8/13 to score anytime with bet365.
Wigan striker Josh Magennis should lead the line and won;t get a better chance to bolster his international account which stands at ten goals and 69 caps. He is 11/1 to score anytime with bet365
Anything else catch the eye?
Northern Ireland should be scoring plenty of goals against this gang of imposters and it's case of how many surely, especially at the start of a new regime.?
As always with San Marino games, it's a problem finding any kind of value and the hosts never alter their park-the-bus style of playing.
However, Paddy Power's 5/6 for Nothern Ireland -2 on the handicaps looks a fair price.
Fabrizio Costantini's side should be blown away really and the 11/10 with 10bet for an away win and over 3.5 goals looks another decent shout.
This Euro 2020 match between San Marino and Northern Ireland will be played on Mar 23, 2023 and kick off at 19:45. Check below for our tipsters best San Marino vs Northern Ireland prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
