Qualifying for the World Cup would be a magnificent achievement for Northern Ireland. They are second in their group at the time of writing and a victory over Slovakia would see Michael O’Neill’s men move level on points in top spot.However, their opponents boast a 100 percent winning record so far. Can Northern Ireland throw a spanner in the Slovakian works?Slovakia to win – 13/8 with PuntitUnder 2.5 goals – 8/13 with SBKDavid Strelec to score any time – 9/4 with BetfredNorthern Ireland vs Slovakia oddsFind the latest Northern Ireland vs Slovakia betting odds here. All odds are provided by our recommended football bookmakers and are subject to change. Stay in-play between matches with bet365’s live casino! Northern Ireland vs Slovakia predictionsNorthern Ireland have not participated at a World Cup since 1986. The expansion of the tournament to 48 teams raises their chances of being involved next summer, but qualification still looks like a tall order.Northern Ireland have at least made a decent start to the process. They beat Luxembourg 3-1 on matchday one, then lost to Germany by the same scoreline.Michael O’Neill’s team were actually level with the four-time world champions up until the 69th minute, so there were positives to take from their overall performance in Cologne.Northern Ireland find themselves second in Group A, above Germany on goals scored following the latter’s loss to Slovakia in their first qualifier.The Nationalelf remain favourites to top the group and qualify automatically, which would probably leave Slovakia and Northern Ireland to battle it out for second spot and a play-off berth.That feels like O’Neill’s men’s best chance of making it to the USA, Canada and Mexico. The 12 group runners-up will go forward to the play-offs, joined by four sides who performed well in the last edition of the Nations League.Having won their group it is possible that Northern Ireland will get in via the Nations League, although it is far from guaranteed. As such, a second-place finish in Group A must be the objective going forward.O’Neill has recalled Josh Magennis to the camp for the upcoming meetings with Slovakia and Germany, both of whom will visit Windsor Park in the current international break.Daniel Ballard, Conor Hazard, Brodie Spencer, Ciaron Brown and Paul Smyth are also in the squad again after missing the September qualifiers through injury.Piers Charles is still missing with a shoulder problem, however, and Dale Taylor and Ronan Hale have been left out by O’Neill.The Northern Ireland manager wants his team to be tough to break down against both Slovakia and Germany.“I would think that if we had two clean sheets here in these two games, I would expect us to score at some point [and] we would have a minimum of four points,” O’Neill, who is in his second spell in charge of the national team, said.“The emphasis is on trying to get out of the two games in as strong a position as possible for the games in November.”Northern Ireland vs Slovakia betting tips. 18+ GambleAware.org – Please play responsibly.Northern Ireland vs Slovakia betting tipsSecond-placed Northern Ireland face group leaders Slovakia – which way will this one go?Slovakia can continue fine formSlovakia were impressive at Euro 2024, when they got out of their group and then took England to extra time in the round of 16.They are a well-coached team under Francesco Calzona, who has made this Slovakia side more than the sum of its parts.O’Neill has also done a good job with Northern Ireland, a job which seems to suit him well.But Slovakia have more individual talent at their disposal and that could shift the balance this weekend.David Hancko (Atletico Madrid) and Stanislav Lobotka (Napoli) play for some of the best teams in Europe, while Martin Dubravka and Ondrej Duda possess plenty of top-level experience. Tip Slovakia to win at 13/8 with Puntit Goals likely to be on low endBoth of Northern Ireland’s matches up to now have featured over 2.5 goals, but this looks set to be a lower-scoring encounter.O’Neill has already made it clear that his priority on Friday will be to keep things tight at the back, with a clean sheet his principal objective.Slovakia were fantastic against Germany, but counterintuitively they may find it harder to break down opponents who sit deep and allow them the ball.Calzona’s charges are yet to concede a goal in Group A, so their defence will not be easily disrupted either.Goals could be at a premium at Windsor Park this weekend. Go for under 2.5 goals at 8/13 with SBK Strelec the man for SlovakiaMiddlesbrough are flying high in the Championship, but David Strelec has only scored once so far this season.He remains an integral part of this Slovakia side, however, and he is in line to start up top for the visitors to Belfast.Strelec scored one and set up another against Germany in a 2-0 win that will live long in the memory of every Slovakian who witnessed it.The 24-year-old will fancy his chances of getting his name on the scoresheet when Slovakia face Northern Ireland. Choose David Strelec to score any time at 9/4 with Betfred Northern Ireland vs Slovakia predicted lineupsNorthern Ireland expected lineup: Peacock-Farrell; Hume, McNair, Ballard; Bradley, McCann, S. Charles, Devenny; Galbraith, Price; Reid.Slovakia expected lineup: Dubravka; Gyomber, Satka, Skriniar, Hancko; Duda, Lobotka, Bero; Haraslin, Strelec, Sauer. Where to watch Northern Ireland vs SlovakiaLocation: Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland.Date and time: Friday 10th October, 7.45pm.How to watch: BBC Two and BBC iPlayer.More World Cup qualification predictionsWe have plenty more World Cup qualification predictions and picks – find our latest betting tips from expert punters in our match preview overview.About the authorGreg LeaGreg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootballCommercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to talkSPORT. 18+. T&Cs apply. 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