Wales v Northern Ireland
Football : International Carling Nations Cup
Friday 27 May 2011 - Kickoff 7:45pm
This game is live on TV

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Wales

The Carling Nations Cup has not exactly set the pulse racing for fans of the Welsh national team and it seems even former players are deriding the competition. Neville Southall was quoted calling the competition a 'Mickey Mouse' tournament with no real bearing on anything, especially not the future of Gary Speed as manager of the team.

It is unsurprising that Southall may feel that way considering Wales decided not to play any player that currently plys their trade in the Premier League when losing 1-3 to Scotland on Wednesday night. Gary Speed also criticised the fact his team have to play 2 games in 3 days thanks to poor organisation of the tournament.

Wales also lost 3-0 to the Republic of Ireland in their first game of the tournament in February but can avoid the wooden spoon if they avoid defeat tonight thanks to a superior goal difference than Northern Ireland.

Speed decided to rest his players with this game in mind and his Premier League stars will return to the team, starting with Aaron Ramsey as captain. Craig Bellamy is also fit to play after missing Cardiff's Play Off Semi Final 2nd Leg against Reading last week.

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland are actually in decent shape to make a real impact in their Euro 2012 Qualifying Group, but this competition looks like it is more of a distraction than something where Nigel Worthington can find a benefit.

That has seen shown from their results too, losing both games without scoring a goal and conceding 8 in the process. There was a little as 400 fans travelling from Northern Ireland to the game on Tuesday night against the Republic of Ireland which the team lost 5-0.

The next competitive games Northern Ireland will play could determine whether they have any real ambitions of at least making the Euro 2012 Play Offs as they host the Faroe Islands and Serbia at Windsor Park.

Worthington will be making changes to his line up and has announced his team as follows:
Tuffey, Hodson, McAuley, Coates, Cathcart, Carson, Norwood, Garrett, Gorman, McGinn, Feeney.

Head to Head

The teams last met in Northern Ireland in an International friendly that ended 0-0.

They also played in the Qualifying section for the World Cup 2006. On that occasion, Wales beat Northern Ireland 2-3 at Windsor Park and drew 2-2 at the Millenium Stadium.

Prediction

The Carling Nations Cup has not been well received by the teams involved nor the fans and I would not be that surprised if this revival of an old competition peters out after England take part next season.

What the competition has provided is a large number of goals with all 4 games ending with a least 3 goals scored. Both Wales and Northern Ireland have conceded goals for fun as they use experimental lineups.

Wales are definitely playing the stronger team of the two tonight, but I am not interested in backing them at odds on considering they have struggled away from their own patch for some time.

I will, however, have a small play on the game finishing with 3 goals or more. Wales may reach the target themselves with the way Northern Ireland defended against the Republic of Ireland on Tuesday, and there is always a chance the leaky Welsh defence will at least present their opposition with a goal.

The 2.25 at Victor Chandler is a standout price and one I will be taking for minimum stakes.

The Pick :

Wales 3-1 Northern Ireland

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

I'll back Over 2.5 Goals @ 2.25 (1 UNIT)

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