World Cup qualifier: Luxembourg v Northern Ireland match preview

A look ahead to tonight's World Cup qualifier in Stade Josy Barthel

Martin Paterson celebrates for Northern Ireland after scoring against Russia (GETTY IMAGES)

Northern Ireland should go into their tie with Luxembourg tonight expecting to come away with all three points. Michael O’Neill’s side were leading Portugal, seventh in the Fifa rankings, 2-1 until the 68th minute when Cristiano Ronaldo completed a fifteen minute hat trick to silence the Windsor Park crowd.

Despite that result, Northern Ireland will still have a confidence from their performance and their ability to have broken down the Portuguese defence twice; and also from their 1-0 victory over Russia in August.

Michael O’Neill will have to make a couple of changes to his starting line-up tonight due to the red cards to Chris Brunt and Kyle Lafferty from Friday night.

Past Meetings:

11 September 2012: Northern Ireland 1-1 Luxembourg

23 February 2000: Luxembourg 1-3 Northern Ireland

Stats:

Northern Ireland haven’t had a goalless draw in 14 Championship matches.

No player in the Northern Ireland squad has more than 10 goals for their country.

Odds:

N Ireland win – 2.1

Luxembourg win – 3.5

Draw – 3.2

TV: Live on Sky Sports 2 at 7.15pm