Georgia vs Northern Ireland — Tips & Analysis

Under 2.5: Northern Ireland do not play in busy games, and that is the heart of this pick. Only 4 of their last 13 games had 3 or more goals, and their games have just over 2 goals in them on average. They are also a much smaller threat on the road. Away from home they have won once in seven, tying two and losing four, and they score under a goal a game on their travels. Their team news points the same way. Captain Conor Bradley is out, along with midfielders Ali McCann and Brad Lyons, and McDonnell pulled out with a hamstring problem. A patched up side away from home tends to sit in and keep the game small. Georgia will have the ball and the better players. Their heavy nights came against Spain and Türkiye, who are a level above this. At home to Bulgaria, Armenia and Ukraine they let in two goals in three games. They have also lost their last four and have not played in 311 days. A 2-0 Georgia win is the most likely score, and that lands this one. The danger is Georgia themselves. They have had 3 or more goals in 9 of their last 14 games, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia against a makeshift back line could blow this open. We still expect a controlled, low-scoring night in Tbilisi.