Northern Ireland head into Sunday's UEFA Nations League fixture with Cyprus knowing that they are now scrapping to avoid relegation to the fourth tier.

Both teams have just one point from three fixtures, leaving them eight points behind the League C Group 2 leaders, and a loser in Belfast will be on the brink of finishing in bottom spot.

Match preview

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Five games ago, Northern Ireland supporters felt that they had the right man in charge with Ian Baraclough's side earning a goalless draw with Italy in November.

However, collecting just one point from games versus Greece, Cyprus and Kosovo has changed that perception with many, the 3-2 defeat away at the latter bringing calls for Baraclough to depart the role.

Baraclough spoke with justification about a transitional period and newcomers to the squad requiring time, but it will not distract from their efforts in those respective matches.

Northern Ireland were initially regarded as contenders to top this group, but Greece's maximum haul has left the group to focus on trying to retain their third-tier status.

Victory on Saturday would go some way to easing the pressure on Baraclough, but Northern Ireland have scored just once in their last six home fixtures in all competitions.

As far as Cyprus are concerned, they will be content with being on level terms with Northern Ireland at this stage, even if they are still awaiting their first goal in the group.

Although they were well beaten by Kosovo and Greece, the goalless draw with Northern Ireland was deemed a huge positive, arguably representing their most notable result for over 15 months.

With the pressure on the hosts, Nikos Kostenoglou and his squad will relish the opportunity to try to inflict more misery on their opponents, something which would even be achieved with a draw.

However, you have to go all the way back to October 2019 for the last time that Cyprus prevailed away from home, that triumph coming in Kazakhstan.

Team News

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Having missed out on Thursday, Paddy McNair appears unlikely to recover in time for this contest.

Changes are still expected to be made, however, with Conor Bradley and Dion Charles potential inclusions at right wing-back and in attack.

Conor McMenamin could retain his place at left wing-back unless Baraclough opts to use Niall McGinn in that position.

The experienced duo of Konstantinos Laifis and Demetris Christofi could both be drafted back into the Cyprus XI.

Sporting Kansas City youngster Marinos Tzionis may also be given an opportunity on the left flank.

Northern Ireland possible starting lineup:
Peacock-Farrell; Brown, Ballard, Evans; Bradley, Davis, McCann, Saville, McMenamin; Charles, Lavery

Cyprus possible starting lineup:
Michail; Gogic, Correa, Laifis; Pittas, Artymatas, Kyriakou, Ioannou; Loizou, Christofi, Tzionis

We say: Northern Ireland 1-0 Cyprus

All things considered, this game is unlikely to feature many goals, both managers being fearful of what defeat could mean. Nevertheless, home advantage may prove key for Northern Ireland, and a solitary goal may be enough to buy Baraclough some time in the dugout.

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

Written by
Darren Plant

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