Bet on Northern Ireland vs Italy – Belfast has been known for upsets
Published:Northern Ireland are no strangers to the odd upset and this gives them reasons to be confident ahead of their next Group C qualifier for Euro 2012 at home to Italy.
Nigel Worthington’s team may not have scored in their last three meetings with Italy and only won one of their seven meetings with the nation, but they have won eight of their last 11 qualifiers at home.
Northern Ireland are 9/2 to beat Italy, with England and Spain among the opposition to have tasted defeat in Belfast in recent years.
Meanwhile, they also caused an upset in their only Group C fixture to date when soaking up the pressure to steal a 1-0 win in Slovenia.
Cesare Prandelli has opted to recall Stefano Mauri and Gianluca Zambrotta to the international fold and help Italy in their quest to make it three wins from three in the group.
Italy are 8/13 to beat Northern Ireland in what will be their first visit to Belfast in over 50 years.
Vladimir Petrovic has only recently taken over managerial duties of Serbia and his first challenge will be to ensure three points are collected from their home showdown with Estonia.
Estonia have won just one of their last 11 games on their travels and Serbia are 2/9 to emerge victorious and further extend this record.
The visitors will also be without all-time leading scorer Andres Oper as they look to defy betting odds of 11/1 to remain in contention in the group.
Slovenia should be bankers to seal their first Group C victory in their third fixture as they entertain the Faroe Islands in the remaining game.
Slovenia are 1/25 to win against a team to have conceded ten goals in their first three games, with the visitors 40/1 to land the spoils.
Italy are the heavy 2/5 favourites to finish on top of Group C, with Northern Ireland 14/1. See the full Group C winners betting odds market.
