The Daily Acca: Larnaca clash could be a tough watch

Kevin Hatchard
05 June 2022
2 min read

Ian Baraclough's Northern Ireland are finding goals hard to come by

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We've rotated the Daily Acca squad for a few days, and Kevin Hatchard's put together a Nations League treble at more than 5/1.

"Northern Ireland still haven't won a single game in the Nations League, and they looked short of creativity against Greece."

Back Under 2.5 Goals in Cyprus v Northern Ireland, BTTS in Sweden v Norway and Bulgaria to win v Georgia at 6.64

Struggling attacks to misfire again

Bet 1: Back Under 2.5 Goals in Cyprus v Northern Ireland @ 40/85 - KO 17:00

Northern Ireland's Nations League campaign got off to a disappointing start, as they were beaten 1-0 at home by Greece. Ian Baraclough's men struggled to create chances, and they managed just two shots on target in a 1-0 defeat. NI still haven't won a game in the Nations League, and they have lost nine of their 11 matches.

Problems in front of goal have been a running theme for Northern Ireland, and seven of their 11 Nations League matches have featured fewer than three goals. Fifteen of their last 23 games, including friendlies, have seen an Under 2.5 Goals bet land.

Cyprus aren't exactly a freewheeling offensive powerhouse either. They lost 2-0 at home to Kosovo last time out, and they have now failed to score in eight of their last 10 Nations League matches. Nine of their last 15 games overall have featured fewer than three goals.

Haaland can strike a spark

Bet 2: Both Teams To Score in Sweden v Norway at 9/10 - KO 19:45

Erling Haaland nabbed the winner for Norway in their 1-0 win at Serbia last time out, and Manchester City's new star striker has an incredible record at international level. The former Borussia Dortmund and Salzburg forward has netted 16 goals in 18 senior matches for Norway. In the March friendlies, Norway put nine goals past Armenia, and they have scored in 18 of their last 22 games.

Sweden are a much tougher side defensively than most of the teams Norway have faced in that spell, but in the Nations League they have kept just one clean sheet in their last seven. They are usually good for a goal at home, having scored in each of their last 10 outings in Sweden.

Georgia defeat on our minds

Bet 3: Bulgaria to win v Georgia at 11/8 - KO 19:45

Georgia are on decent form at the moment. They have put together a six-match unbeaten run, and they have managed recent wins in Kosovo and Bosnia-Herzegovina. However, they were smashed 4-1 in Bulgaria as recently at September, and their only win in the last six UNL games was at home to Gibraltar.

Bulgaria have won three of their last four home games, and they held a very good North Macedonia side to a 1-1 draw a few days ago. Willy Sagnol's Georgia have improved of late, but I believe Bulgaria are fair favourites here given their recent home form.

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