Wales VS Northern Ireland Match Prediction

Wales have a very good record against Northern Ireland, winning 15 times against their second round opponents and losing this fixture just seven times throughout footballing history. These nations played out a 1-1 friendly just three months before the start of Euro 2016, while Wales came out on top in the last competitive match, winning 2-0 in the Nations Cup back in 2011. 

Northern Ireland have not beaten Wales since a narrow 1-0 victory in the British Championships and their three previous wins against Wales all came by the same scoreline in the same event too.

Wales v Northern Ireland: Prediction

Northern Ireland's defending has been good throughout the tournament, with Michael McGovern's outstanding goalkeeping performance against Germany one of the best individual displays of the whole tournament. But coping with the on-fire Bale is sure to be a huge challenge for O'Neill's men, who might find this is the end of the road. Wales will look at the draw and believe they could go very deep into the tournament as their half of the bracket has really opened up.

Wales v Northern Ireland: Betting Tips

Wales have understandably been made the favourites for this match, but odds of evens look very good value on a team that looked much less reliant on Bale's magic against Russia. As the outsiders, Northern Ireland are offered at as big as 41/10, while the draw can be backed at a decent price of 21/10. Bale has been the talisman for Wales and he is available at 7/2 to score the first goal of the game, while Wales to win 1-0 can be backed at a very tempting 4/1.

Wales' 3-0 win over Russia ensured they topped Group B, setting up a Home Nations meeting with neighbours Northern Ireland in the next round, while the draw has opened up for Chris Coleman's men due to other results.

Gareth Bale has three goals in three games and has been one of the stars of the tournament so far, but midfielders Joe Ledley and Joe Allen have also been superb. Sam Vokes came into the side for the Russia game and provided a focal point for the attack, so he should keep his place.

Wales likely XI: 

Hennessey, Gunter, Chester, Williams, Davies, Taylor, Allen, Ledley, Ramsey, Bale, Vokes.

Michael O'Neill's men qualified for the next round as one of the best third-placed teams after a 1-0 defeat against Germany was even to see them through. O'Neill could recall striker Kyle Lafferty after he sat out the last two matches, with experienced defender Aaron Hughes retained in defence. Former postman Conor Washington is yet to score at the finals, like Lafferty, and could drop to the bench for this match as a result.

Northern Ireland likely XI: 

McGovern, Hughes, Cathcart, McAuley, Evans; Ward, Evans, Davis, Norwood, Dallas, Lafferty.

The most expensive player in world football has a chance to show his talents off on the biggest scale here and Bale should prove to be the difference between the sides. Northern Ireland\'s defence have not faced an individual with Bale\'s magic yet and he is likely to carry Wales into the quarter-finals. Wales to win by a single goal, with Bale on the scoresheet.

Northern Ireland\'s most recent four wins against Wales have all been 1-0 victories.