Aiming to end a four-game losing run in Euro 2024 qualifying, Northern Ireland travel to the Astana Arena to do battle with Kazakhstan on Sunday afternoon.

Fifth-placed Northern Ireland trail fourth-placed Kazakhstan by six points in Group H, while the Hawks find themselves one point shy of the top two.

Match preview

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Kazakhstan head into Sunday's clash on the back of a 1-0 defeat to Finland, who now sit two points clear at the summit of Group H after winning four of their five matches, although Magomed Adiyev's side remain within touching distance of the automatic qualification spots.

After losing 2-1 against Slovenia in their opening qualifier, the Hawks came from 2-0 down to snatch a 3-2 victory over Denmark, courtesy of late goals from Bakhtiyar Zaynutdinov, Askhat Tagybergen and Abat Aymbetov, who cancelled out Rasmus Hojlund's first-half brace.

Following a routine 3-0 win against San Marino, Kazakhstan claimed a 1-0 victory over Northern Ireland in the reverse fixture back in June, limiting the hosts to a solitary attempt on target while netting an 88th-minute winner through Aymbetov.

As a result, Adiyev's men have won three of their five qualifiers so far, scoring eight goals in the process, meaning that Kazakhstan stand a strong chance of featuring at their first-ever European Championship in Germany next summer.

It is also worth remembering that Kazakhstan won their 2022-23 UEFA Nations League group, losing just one of their six encounters to gain promotion, so the Hawks will back themselves to extend their impressive run against the struggling Green and White Army.

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Meanwhile, Northern Ireland suffered a 4-2 defeat in Slovenia on Thursday, despite registering 13 shots while enjoying the lion's share of possession in Ljubljana, meaning that Michael O'Neill's side have taken three points from a possible 15.

Panathinaikos forward Andraz Sporar bagged a brace in the rout, with RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko making it 3-1 before half time, while Manchester United's Jonny Evans scored an own goal before grabbing his team's second after the break.

The Green and White Army made a positive start to their qualification journey, securing an easy 2-0 victory over minnows San Marino, but they have since suffered four consecutive defeats, with 1-0 losses against Finland, Denmark and Kazakhstan preceding Thursday's thrashing.

When you look at the bigger picture, Northern Ireland have managed to win just two of their previous 12 outings across all competitions, enduring eight defeats along the way, and they have also failed to score in 50% of those matches.

Northern Ireland recorded four wins, two draws and four losses during Euro 2020 qualifying, finishing behind the Netherlands and Germany on 13 points, but O'Neill's men have already suffered four losses in Euro 2024 qualifying, and they have only played five games.

Team News

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Kazakhstan manager Magomed Adiyev deployed a 3-4-2-1 formation on Thursday, with Islambek Kuat and Bakhtiyar Zaynutdinov operating behind lone striker Abat Aymbetov, who has scored two goals in his last three international appearances.

At the opposite end of the pitch, goalkeeper Igor Shatsky will retain his place between the sticks, while Marat Bystrov, Aleksandr Marochkin and Nuraly Alip are expected to continue in the backline.

As for Northern Ireland, Michael O'Neill opted for a 4-1-4-1 formation against Slovenia last time out, with Bolton Wanderers striker Dion Charles leading the line and Southampton teenager Shea Charles anchoring the midfield.

Jonny Evans will continue to partner Paddy McNair at centre-back, while Trai Hume and Ciaron Brown will likely occupy the full-back spots, although O'Neill could be tempted to bring in experienced defender Craig Cathcart.

Conor McMenamin and Matty Kennedy look set to operate on the flanks, but the likes of Paul Smyth, Conor Washington, Ali McCann and Josh Magennis will be pushing for a place in the starting XI on Sunday.

Kazakhstan possible starting lineup:
Shatskiy; Bystrov, Marochkin, Alip; Skvortsov, Tagybergen, Darabayev, Vorogovskiy; Kuat, Zaybutdinov; Aymbetov

Northern Ireland possible starting lineup:
Peacock-Farrell; Hume, Evans, McNair, Brown; Charles; McMenamin, Price, Saville, Kennedy; Charles

We say: Kazakhstan 2-1 Northern Ireland

Carrying a four-game losing streak into Sunday's showdown, struggling Northern Ireland are on course to suffer a fifth successive defeat at the expense of Kazakhstan, who look set to strengthen their qualification bid with a fourth victory in five outings.

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

Written by
Ben Morris

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