Football
Women’s World Cup Qualifier: Northern Ireland v Portugal – Can the Underdogs Keep It Alive?
51 minutes ago
William Hill News tipster @Footy_Tipster previews Friday’s Women’s World Cup qualifier clash between Northern Ireland and Portugal.
Our Prediction: Match Result & 3+ Match Goals – Portugal (3/4), Northern Ireland 1-2 Portugal (13/2)
Northern Ireland welcome Portugal to Larne on Friday for the first leg of their World Cup play‑off semi‑final, hoping to keep the tie alive as they chase qualification for the tournament for the very first time.
Now, let’s take a closer look at some Women’s World Cup odds and betting angles for Friday’s fixture:
Northern Ireland and Portugal – Friday, 7pm
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- Michael McArdle’s Northern Ireland head into this two‑legged Women’s World Cup qualifying semi‑final as clear underdogs, ranked 50th in the world and having won just two of their last ten matches in all competitions.
- They’ve also managed only one win from five previous meetings with Portugal, adding to the scale of the task ahead. Both of those recent victories came against Malta, and while Northern Ireland finished third in Group 2, a full seven points behind Turkey, they’ll be hoping to keep this tie alive heading into next week’s trip to Portugal. They’re 11/1 with William Hill to take a first‑leg win.
- Portugal arrive as strong favourites after topping their group with 15 points, though their perfect record slipped on the final day with a 3–1 defeat away to Finland.
- Even so, the Portuguese, who have appeared at just one Women’s World Cup, are widely expected to have too much over two legs, with Croatia or Iceland awaiting the winners in the play‑off final. Portugal are 1/5 with William Hill to take control of the tie in Larne.
