Northern Ireland have put themselves in a position few would have predicted at the start of this international window.
Michael O’Neill’s side are unbeaten after three Nations League games and sit top of Group B2 with seven points. Better still, they are the only team in the entire Nations League yet to concede a goal.
Friday’s 3-0 win over Ukraine was the standout result. Ciaron Brown scored twice, Isaac Price added another and a Northern Ireland starting XI with an average age of just 22 produced a remarkably mature away performance.
Georgia arrive at Windsor Park in a very different position. They’ve collected one point from three games and are still waiting for their first goal of the campaign. Their opening 1-0 defeat to Northern Ireland also cost Willy Sagnol his job.
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What are the best betting tips for Northern Ireland vs Georgia?
Northern Ireland draw no bet
There’s a strong argument for simply backing Northern Ireland to win, but Georgia still have enough individual quality to make me slightly cautious.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Georges Mikautadze and Giorgi Chakvetadze are hardly a League B attack to take lightly.
But everything else points towards O’Neill’s side.
Northern Ireland beat Georgia 1-0 in Tbilisi just 10 days ago, held Hungary to a 0-0 draw, and then dismantled Ukraine 3-0. They have seven points and three clean sheets despite stepping up from League C this season.
Their Windsor Park record is even more impressive. Northern Ireland have kept 10 clean sheets in their last 12 home matches, winning nine of those games.
Georgia, meanwhile, have lost four of their last five away fixtures.
Northern Ireland draw no bet gives us some insurance if the game becomes another tight scrap, while still backing the team in considerably better form.
Georgia under 0.5 goals
Northern Ireland haven’t conceded a goal in the Nations League.
Georgia haven’t scored one.
Sometimes the numbers do most of the work for you.
O’Neill’s side have kept Georgia, Hungary and Ukraine scoreless across their opening three matches. Against Ukraine, they had only 28% possession but defended their box superbly and restricted their opponents largely to crosses and efforts from distance.
That has been particularly impressive given Daniel Ballard’s absence.
Tom Atcheson and Ruairi McConville have stepped up alongside Brown, while Pierce Charles has looked increasingly assured behind them.
Georgia certainly have the talent to end that run. Kvaratskhelia had the best opportunity to do exactly that in Tbilisi, only for Pierce Charles to save his penalty.
But Georgia have subsequently drawn 0-0 with Ukraine and lost 1-0 to Hungary.
Until somebody actually scores against Northern Ireland, I’m happy to keep backing the clean sheet.
Isaac Price 1+ shot on target
Price continues to become increasingly important for Northern Ireland.
The 22-year-old scored the second goal against Ukraine, heading home Kieran Morrison’s cross to put O’Neill’s side 2-0 up after just 22 minutes.
His ability to arrive late in the box makes him particularly interesting against Georgia.
Northern Ireland aren’t likely to dominate possession, but they showed in Trnava that they don’t need to. Morrison’s pace gives them another outlet, while Jamie Donley’s movement creates space for Price to attack from midfield.
Price should again operate as one of Northern Ireland’s most advanced midfielders tonight.
One effort on target looks achievable without relying on him scoring in consecutive games.
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Where can I watch Northern Ireland vs Georgia?
Northern Ireland host Georgia at the Clearer Twist National Stadium at Windsor Park tonight, Monday, October 5, with kick-off at 7:45 pm BST.
The game will be shown live on BBC One Northern Ireland and BBC Three, with coverage starting at 7:30 pm. It can also be streamed through BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.
What have the managers said?
Michael O’Neill:
O’Neill wants Northern Ireland to reproduce the level they showed both in Tbilisi and against Ukraine.
“The players put in an excellent performance against Georgia in our opening B2 match.”
The Northern Ireland boss also stressed how important tonight’s home fixture is.
“I have always said positive results in home games are a must in any campaign.”
Despite Georgia’s struggles, O’Neill is taking nothing for granted – particularly with Kvaratskhelia in the opposition attack.
“World class players like Kvaratskhelia have the ability to change a game with a piece of magic.”
After Friday’s 3-0 victory, O’Neill described Northern Ireland’s performance against Ukraine as “excellent” and praised the way his young defence protected another clean sheet.
Ramaz Svanadze:
Svanadze is still looking for his first victory since replacing Sagnol.
The former Georgia Under-21 boss drew 0-0 with Ukraine in his first game before Friday’s 1-0 defeat to Hungary.
Speaking after taking the senior job, Svanadze made clear what he wants to change.
“Our goal is to show consistency in our performances and results.”
He also said:
“Our main goal will be to achieve a positive result against any team.”
Svanadze believes Georgia can play a more aggressive pressing game, although he admitted the approach will depend on the opposition.
What is Northern Ireland’s predicted team?
(5-4-1) Pierce Charles; Terry Devlin, Ciaron Brown, Ruairi McConville, Tom Atcheson, Brodie Spencer; Kieran Morrison, Trai Hume, Shea Charles, Isaac Price; Jamie Donley.
Injured: Daniel Ballard, Jamie McDonnell.
Doubts: Tom Atcheson, Brodie Spencer.
Ballard is unavailable after suffering a hamstring injury in the first meeting with Georgia.
Atcheson and Spencer both sat out training on Sunday as a precaution, so they will need to be assessed before kick-off.
Ethan Galbraith is available again after missing the Ukraine victory to return home following the birth of his son. He could therefore come back into O’Neill’s midfield if changes are made.
Morrison should have done enough to keep his place after an excellent competitive debut against Ukraine, when the 19-year-old was involved in Northern Ireland’s opening two goals.
What is Georgia’s predicted team?
(3-4-1-2) Mamardashvili; Goglichidze, Dvali, Lochoshvili; Kakabadze, Yegoian, Mekvabishvili, Tsitaishvili; Chakvetadze; Mikautadze, Kvaratskhelia.
Injured: Otar Kiteishvili.
Kiteishvili is unavailable after picking up an injury against Hungary on Friday.
Kvaratskhelia remains the obvious danger. Northern Ireland kept him quiet for long periods in Tbilisi, although he did miss Georgia’s penalty in the second half.
Northern Ireland vs Georgia prediction
Michael O’Neill couldn’t really have asked for a better first three games following promotion to League B.
Seven points. Five goals scored. None conceded.
More importantly, the performances haven’t looked like a fluke. They defended superbly against Hungary and Ukraine, while Morrison, Price and Donley give O’Neill an increasingly exciting young attack.
Georgia are dangerous enough to punish any drop in concentration, particularly through Kvaratskhelia, but three games without a goal tells its own story.
Northern Ireland won the first meeting away from home. Back at Windsor Park, they can complete the double.
Score prediction: Northern Ireland 1-0 Georgia
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