Windsor Park, Saturday, 28 March
The New Football Pools Pundits' Predictions:
John Barnes: Draw
Tony Cascarino: Draw
Graham Poll: Draw
OPTA Facts
In their seven matches, both Poland and Northern Ireland have won three times, with one draw.
However the Poles have won the last three encounters.
Northern Ireland have won their last two qualifying matches by at least three goals – against San Marino.
Grant McCann has scored in his last two World Cup Qualifying matches.
This will be Poland’s sixth international away match in a row. They have scored exactly one goal in four of their last five matches.
Poland beat the Republic of Ireland 3-2 in a friendly in November.
At least one side has failed to score in each of Northern Ireland’s last four matches.
Northern Ireland team news:
Defender Gareth McAuley says Nigel Worthington’s men are still hurting from their last drubbing by Poland at Windsor Park.
The Irish face Poland again at Windsor Park tomorrow and McAuley claims many of them have not got over the pain of the 3-0 defeat in September in a World Cup Qualifier.
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A repeat performance in Belfast would all but end Northern Ireland's World Cup qualification chances.
Worthington will be relying on a strike partnership of Warren Feeney and David Healy to ensure that does not happen.
With Kyle Lafferty and Martin Paterson both ruled out, uncapped duo Andrew Little and Jamie Ward are the only other strikers in the squad.
The Northern Ireland boss will also be hoping that fit-again Manchester United star Jonny Evans will help shore up the Northern Irish defence and make up for the absence of George McCartney, who is suspended for the game.
Damien Johnson and Sammy Clingan are certainties to start in midfield, with Grant McCann, Chris Brunt and Chris Baird in contention for the other two berths.
Regular central midfielder Steve Davis is suspended.
Clingan is likely to be partnered in the middle by Scunthorpe's McCann, while Johnson and Brunt will occupy the flanks.
Northern Ireland squad:
Goalkeepers: Taylor (Birmingham City), Mannus (Linfield), Tuffey (Partick Thistle).
Defenders: Craigan (Motherwell), Hughes (Fulham), McAuley (Ipswich Town), McGivern (Manchester City), Baird (Fulham), Evans (Manchester United).
Midfielders: McCann (Scunthorpe United), Brunt (West Brom), McGinn (Celtic), Clingan (Norwich City), Johnson (Birmingham City), Shiels (Doncaster Rovers).
Strikers: Healy (Sunderland), Feeney (Dundee United on loan), Little (Rangers), Ward (Sheffield United).
Betting odds (Sporting Bet)
Northern Ireland win: 5/2
Draw: 11/5
Poland win: EVS
David Healy first scorer: 13/2
Asian Handicap
N.Ireland vs Polan
1/4 : 0
Over / Under 2
( Mirror )
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