• Slovakia have won three of their first four World Cup qualifiers but their only loss came against Northern Ireland last month

• Northern Ireland are hoping to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1986

• Recommended bet: Over 2.5 goals

World Cup qualifying Group A is finely poised with two rounds of fixtures remaining and Northern Ireland need a win in Slovakia to boost their chances of reaching next summer's tournament.

Germany and Slovakia are level on nine points at the top of the table but Northern Ireland's 2-0 home win over the Slovaks last month kept them in the hunt.

They finish their campaign at home to Luxembourg, who have lost their first four games, so Friday's clash in Kosice is a crucial fixture for Michael O'Neill's men.

Team news

Slovakia midfielder Stanislav Lobotka is fit again after missing October's internationals but Ondrej Duda is suspended. 

Northern Ireland have problems in central midfield as Shea Charles and Ali McCann are injured.

Brodie Spencer and goalkeeper Pierce Charles remain sidelined and Ethan Galbraith serves a one-match ban.

The latest Slovakia vs Northern Ireland odds are available on LiveScore Bet

The stats

One or both teams failed to score in eight of Slovakia's last nine games.

Two of Slovakia's three qualifying victories were by a 2-0 scoreline.

Slovakia have won three of their last four matches to nil.

Northern Ireland have lost only three of their last 10 competitive games.

Four of Northern Ireland's last five away fixtures produced over 3.5 goals.

Northern Ireland lost and both teams scored in three of their last four away matches.

The latest Slovakia vs Northern Ireland odds are available on LiveScore Bet

Prediction

Northern Ireland have competed well in World Cup qualifying Group A but they face a tricky trip to Slovakia, who have won three of their first four games.

Francesco Calzona's men started their campaign with a shock 2-0 win over Germany and banked another six points from their two fixtures against bottom side Luxembourg.

But October's 2-0 defeat in Northern Ireland hurt their chances of claiming top spot and qualifying automatically for next summer's tournament.

An early own goal gave O'Neill's men the lead at Windsor Park before Sunderland's Trai Hume wrapped up the win in the final 10 minutes.

Injuries to classy central midfielders Charles and McCann mean O'Neill must shuffle his pack on Friday and over 2.5 goals looks a tempting bet.

Slovakia have kept clean sheets in all three of their qualifying wins but four of Northern Ireland's last five away matches produced over 3.5 goals and the exception was June's 2-1 friendly defeat in Denmark.

A draw would not be a great result for O'Neill's side so they will have to take risks in order to enhance their chances of a top-two finish.

Their first two away trips in Group A produced a 3-1 win in Luxembourg and a 3-1 defeat to Germany while Slovakia scored 10 times in six 2024-25 Nations League matches, including a 2-2 draw at home to Sweden.

Middlesbrough forward David Strelec has been in good goalscoring form for Slovakia and the matchday-five fixture could be more open than the betting suggests.

Back over 2.5 goals at 29/20 with LiveScore Bet

The latest Slovakia vs Northern Ireland odds are available on LiveScore Bet