Northern Ireland to lose first Euro qualifier
Slovenia's population is less than 300,000 greater than Northern Ireland's but the gulf appears far wider on a football pitch following the former Yugoslavian state's qualification for Euro 2000 and the 2002 and 2010 World Cups.
Not only are they capable of reaching major tournaments fairly consistently nowadays, they have also started showing an ability to compete at them too, having only been denied a place in the last 16 in South Africa by Landon Donovan's last-gasp goal for USA in another group game.
Northern Ireland have never made it to the Euros before and while Nigel Worthington enjoyed some initial success after replacing Lawrie Sanchez in 2007, they look a long way away from getting there at the moment, not least because of their dire away record.
The former Norwich boss has led his country to only one win in last 15 matches away from Belfast and even that came against San Marino, the lowest ranked nation in Europe.
Their overall results haven't been too encouraging recently either, having suffered five straight defeats and gone ten fixtures and 19 months without a victory.
What are their chances of turning that trend around in Slovenia? Not great. Matjaz Kek's side conceded just one goal in their five home World Cup qualifiers and one of those encounters saw them triumph 2-0 over Northern Ireland.
They've won six in succession in front of their own fans, five by two goals or more and five having led at the interval. For that reason, the bets to pursue tonight are the Slovenia win at [1.63], the half-time/full-time home double at [2.68] and for them to keep a clean sheet at [1.95].
Slovenia v Northern Ireland
Kick-off: 7.45pm
Live on Sky Sports 1
Fancy Northern Ireland to claim a rare away three points? Then back them at [6.8]...
Published: 3 Sep 2010
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