Preview: Northern Ireland vs. Kazakhstan - prediction, team news, lineups

Northern Ireland will attempt to claim their second win of the Euro 2024 qualifying campaign when they play host to Kazakhstan on Monday.

The visitors, meanwhile, will be hoping to clinch a third successive victory after beating Denmark and San Marino in their previous two matches.

Match preview

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Northern Ireland began their qualifying campaign with a 2-0 away win over San Marino, but they have gone on to suffer consecutive 1-0 defeats to Finland and Denmark.

In their most recent outing against Denmark, the Green and White Army looked to have salvaged a point when Callum Marshall came off the bench to guide the ball home from a Jonny Evans knockdown in stoppage time.

However, the West Ham United youngster was denied a goal on his international debut after a VAR check ruled that Evans had taken up an offside position.

As a result, Northern Ireland are currently sitting in fifth place with three points separating them from Denmark, Finland, Kazakhstan and Slovenia.

Having won just one of their last six home internationals, Northern Ireland will have their work cut out if they are to return to winning ways on Monday.

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Kazakhstan are hoping to qualify for their first-ever major tournament, and they will be pleased with the start that they have made to Euro 2024 qualifying.

After losing their opening game to Slovenia, Kazakhstan bounced back with a remarkable victory against Denmark, coming from two goals down to win 3-2.

Magomed Adiyev's side added three more points to their tally with a comfortable 3-0 away victory over San Marino on Friday thanks to goals from Yan Vorogovsky, Askhat Tagybergen and Bakhtiyor Zaynutdinov.

Kazakhstan, who are level on six points with three other nations, will head on their travels once again for their first-ever meeting with Northern Ireland.

After winning their last two matches, the visitors have the chance to claim three consecutive victories in European Championship qualifying for the first time.

Team News

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Northern Ireland are unable to call upon a number of senior players due to injury issues, including Steven Davis, Stuart Dallas, Corry Evans, Josh Magennis and Conor Washington.

Craig Cathcart missed the trip to Copenhagen with a back spasm, but O'Neill is hopeful that the defender will be fit for Monday's contest.

Dion Charles, who scored 16 goals for Bolton during the 2022-23 campaign, could be given the chance to start up front alongside Shayne Lavery.

As for the visitors, Zaynutdinov may be rewarded with a starting place after coming off the bench to score against San Marino.

Marat Bystrov is expected to retain his place in the centre of defence alongside Nuraly Alip and Aleksandr Marochkin.

Abat Aymbetov will return to the squad following a one-match suspension, and he could be brought into the lineup for Monday's contest.

Northern Ireland possible starting lineup:
Peacock-Farrell; Cathcart, Evans, Brown; Bradley, McNair, S. Charles, Saville, Hume; D. Charles, Lavery

Kazakhstan possible starting lineup:
Shatskiy; Bystrov, Alip, Marochkin; Orazov, Beysebekov, Kuat, Tagybergen, Vorogovskiy; Aymbetov, Samorodov

We say: Northern Ireland 1-1 Kazakhstan

Northern Ireland have won just one of their last six home internationals, and we think that they will have to settle for a draw against a Kazakhstan side that will be full of confidence after winning consecutive matches.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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