Georgia vs Northern Ireland predictions: Kvaratskhelia can help hosts down Norn Iron
Jamie Griffith
Georgia retained their League B status in the last Nations League by beating Armenia 9-1 on aggregate in a play-off
Northern Ireland won promotion from League C
Recommended bet: Georgia to win, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to score, both teams to score - no & under 2.5 goals @ 8/1 with LiveScore Bet
Northern Ireland head to Georgia for their Nations League opener on Saturday in what is likely to be a key game in the battle to avoid the drop down to League C.
These teams are joined in Group B2 by Hungary and Ukraine so they have been handed a tricky draw.
Both sides will feel capable of challenging for promotion, but both will also view retaining B level status as a successful Nations League campaign.
The latest Georgia vs Northern Ireland odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Team news
Georgia have their star attacking duo available as Georges Mikautadze and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia are both in Willy Sagnol’s squad.
There are two players seeking their first caps, midfielder Otar Mamageishvili and forward Giorgi Gagua.
Defender Saba Kharebashvili, 18, was a late addition to the squad after Irakli Azarovi withdrew due to injury.
Conor Bradley is a notable absentee from the Northern Ireland squad as he remains sidelined with a knee injury.
Boss Michael O’Neill has named a youthful squad that includes a quartet of teenagers – Ceadach O'Neill, Kieran Morrison, Braiden Graham and Tom Atcheson.
If Ceadach O'Neill does feature during the international break it will put an end to any talk of switching allegiances to the Republic of Ireland.
The stats
Georgia are on a four-game unbeaten run.
Georgia have just three defeats in their last 19 home games.
Northern Ireland have six defeats in their last eight away games (W1, D1).
There have been under 2.5 goals scored in seven of Northern Ireland’s last eight games.
Northern Ireland have failed to score in three of their last seven games.
This will be the first competitive meeting between these two sides.
The latest Georgia vs Northern Ireland odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
These sides look fairly well matched and it would not be a surprise to see both win their home games over the course of their two meetings during this extended international break.
Georgia are an incredibly tough team to break down on home soil as they have lost just two of their last 10 home games and those defeats have come at the hands of world champions Spain and a strong Turkey outfit.
Northern Ireland have been poor on their travels with six defeats in their last eight trips so the hosts look the more likely winners, and they can keep a clean sheet.
Three of Georgia’s last four wins have come to nil and Norn Iron have drawn blanks in two of their last four trips.
Both sides will probably look to keep things fairly tight and Northern Ireland are unlikely to open up too much even if they do go behind.
Goals may be in short supply as under 2.5 goals has been a winning bet in seven of the visitors’ last eight games and in each of Georgia’s last three, so a 1-0 or 2-0 home win looks realistic.
Georges Mikautadze and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia provide the attacking threat for Georgia and the latter looks the better option for an anytime goal.
The Paris Saint-Germain star takes Georgia’s penalties and has three goals in his last three games for his country.
Score prediction: Georgia 1-0 Northern Ireland
