Northern Ireland face tough Euro qualifier test against Romania

Romania are odds-on favourites at 4/7 with Coral to crash Northern Ireland’s Euro 2016 party, to spoil their perfect, and best ever, start to a qualifying campaign.

The Green and White Army have a fantastic 100 per cent record so far, with three wins out of three on the long road to the France finals, and are 11/2 to extend that with another victory.

History is on their side, with the traveling team having defeated the Tricolorii in three of their previous four encounters. However, this buoyed Northern Ireland squad are suffering from some disappointing injury issues.

Influential skipper and Southampton midfielder Steven Davis is sidelined with a hamstring problem, after starting for his high-flying club against Leicester City last time out. Whilst the news is a significant blow, Michael O’Neill can now call on fit again West Bromwich Albion midfielder Chris Brunt.

Consistency appears to have been key for the visitors, who have fielded a stable spine throughout their last three clashes, so the loss of Derby County’s Jamie Ward, who netted against Greece, will also be a bane.

Norwich striker Kyle Lafferty (7/2 to be on target anytime) remains O’Neill’s most potent attacking weapon and biggest hope of stealing Romania’s scalp. The flying forward is his nation’s top scorer in qualifying, with three in his last three caps.

Manchester United’s injured Jonny Evans has missed the entire campaign so far, and may have to look over his shoulder after the solid performances of Aaron Hughes and Gareth McAuley. The defensive duo are 7/2 to assist Roy Carroll in keeping a third consecutive clean sheet, and 17/2 to help their nation win to nil .

Absent Evans’ young Red Devils clubmate Paddy McNair could also be set to feature and earn his first cap, whilst Rochdale’s Matthew Lund is a newcomer to the squad as well.