Kyle Lafferty(credit: wikipedia)
Northern Ireland play host to Estonia this evening.
Northern Ireland can still qualify for Euro 2012. In a mathematic sense that is true but Nigel Worthington's side are currently five points behind Serbia in the race for a playoff place in Group C and so must win their remaining two matches and also hope that results elsewhere fall in their favour.
The Green and White Army may, unfortunately, fall at the first hurdle on Friday, when they host Estonia at Windsor Park. It is evens, at
bet365, that the home side beat the Blueshirts but it is a big ask. The two nations met last month in Tallinn and the visitors were soundly beaten 4-1.
Worthington will argue that he was missing influential striker Kyle Lafferty and the Rangers striker is, by some way, Northern Ireland's biggest goal threat but the 24-year-old, who is 5/1 to open the scoring on Friday, is hardly Lionel Messi and his presence in the starting XI at Windsor Park is unlikely to precipitate a dramatic turnaround for the home side.
Estonia, who are 13/5 to win in Belfast, are still very much in the hunt for a playoff spot and a victory, assuming Serbia lose to Italy, will give them a chance of making next summer's tournament in Ukraine and Poland. That would be a huge achievement for Tarmo Ruutli's side and it is unlikely that they will make any mistakes on Friday.
Northern Ireland do have a good record at Windsor Park and a draw, at odds of 9/4, is a possibility but the hosts have lost four of their last five international matches and, unfortunately for the Green and White Army, betting against them looks to be the most profitable option this week.
Recommendation
Win Market - Estonia (13/5,
bet365)