Top of the table clash as Northern Ireland meet Romania

A top of the table clash in Group F of the UEFA Euro 2016 qualifiers takes place in Bucharest on Friday night when Northern Ireland travel to play Romania.

It has been a promising start to the group for both of these nations, who go in to the match undefeated having played played three games each. The home team, Romania have won two and drawn one, picking up 7 points and find themselves currently sitting in second place in the group. Northern Ireland have enjoyed success in all three of their games to date, winning each of them and topping the group with 9 points.

Romania`s two victories have come courtesy of some excellent away performances, most notably away to World Cup 2014 qualifiers Greece. Bogdan Stancu currently leads the goal scoring charts for Romania having netted twice in the other away win in Finland, which ended 2-0 in favour of Romania. Stancu will be expected to pose a major goal threat in this game and the Turkish based forward is available at 11/2 with bet365 to get the opening goal of the game. Romania`s other potential goal scorers include captain Ciprian Marica, who successfully converted a penalty to seal the 1-0 away win over Greece and the experienced striker is on offer at 11/8 with stanjames to score at any time during the game.

Northern Ireland have also enjoyed some impressive away results during their qualifying campaign and managed to take all 3 points away from Greece with a fantastic 2-0 victory and also defeated Hungary at the Groupama Arena in Budapest. A feature in all three of Northern Ireland`s wins to date has been the form of Kyle Lafferty, who has found the back of the net in each of the three games Northern Ireland have played to date. The Norwich striker is available at 5/1 with bet365 to score at any time.

Both Romania and Northern Ireland have remained solid defensively in their opening three group matches, only conceding one goal each in total, however, Romania`s only dropped points so far came in their 1-1 home draw with Hungary, a match in which they conceded. Northern Ireland`s away performances have been good, winning in both Greece and Hungary, the latter of which they conceded their only goal in the group so far. This suggests that the match could be a tight contest and if Northern Ireland are to win, it will be by the odd goal and SkyBet offer 15/2 for them to win by 1 goal.

Considering how closely fought this match will likely be, plus the importance of it to both teams, a low scoring draw could easily be played out and stanjames offer 14/5 for the match to end in a draw with under 2.5 goals being scored. For this scenario to play out, both teams will have to score and they have both managed to do this in their three Group F games so far. bet365 offer 13/8 for both teams to score and 11/2 for the match to end in a draw with both teams to score.

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13/11/2014     © Frixo 2026