Next up in our analysis of the Group C contenders is Northern Ireland. Michael O’Neill’s men start their tournament by squaring up to Poland on Sunday June 12 at 5pm before going up against Ukraine four days later at 5pm and group favourites Germany at 5pm on Tuesday, June 21.
Road to Qualification
O’Neill’s underdogs arrive in France as winners of Group F in qualifying, winning six and drawing three of their ten fixtures in a table that also hosted the likes of Romania, Hungary and Greece. Regardless, Northern Ireland struggled to impress in the final third – they scored just 16 times, with five of those arriving in a pair of clashes against the Faroe Islands.
It was a similar story at the back, with Ireland mustering just three clean sheets and conceding in six of their final seven fixtures.
The rank outsiders have played four friendlies over the past 12 months, winning three times and drawing once, with just a single goal conceded. This includes 1-0 victories over Latvia and Slovenia and a 1-1 stalemate with Wales prior to Sunday’s 3-0 triumph over Belarus.
In terms of tactics, O’Neill isn’t afraid to tinker with his formation in accordance with his team’s opponents and has employed 4-3-3, 4-4-2, 4-1-4-1 and 3-5-2 set-ups over the qualifiers and in recent friendlies.
Most Appearances Gareth McAuley, Oliver Norwood (10), Conor McLaughlin, Chris Baird, Steven Davis, Kyle Lafferty (9), Chris Brunt, Niall McGinn (8), Corry Evans, Josh Magennis (7)
Most goals Kyle Lafferty (7), Gareth McAuley (3), Steven Davis (2)
Most assists Oliver Norwood, Niall McGinn (3)
The Key Targets
Having played a part in eight of his nation’s 16 goals, courtesy of seven strikes and an assist, it’s fair to say that Kyle Lafferty is the likeliest source of Fantasy returns amongst the Northern Ireland squad. Priced at 7.0 in Uefa, the forward has shown next-to-no form on the domestic scene and was loaned out to Birmingham by Norwich last season, where his toils in the Championship make an unconvincing case for consideration. Set to be released by the Carrow Road club this summer, Lafferty is desperate to place himself firmly in the shop window over the tournament and was amongst the goals against Belarus at the weekend.
West Brom’s Gareth McAuley offers a potential source of points at both ends of the pitch. Available for 5.0 in the Uefa game, he netted three times in the qualifiers to mirror the aerial menace in and around the opposition box that harvested four goals for the Baggies in 2015/16. McAuley presence at set-pieces could be a key attacking ploy for O’Neill’s men.
Steven Davis finished the previous season in style by netting three times over Southampton’s wins against Spurs and Palace. Available for 6.0 in the Uefa game, he scored twice over the qualifiers and registered double-figure hauls for both attempts on goal and chances created. The skipper’s defensive work could also appeal in the Draft Kings game.
Oliver Norwood (5.5 in Uefa) may be one to consider. He’s O’Neill’s first-choice for dead-ball duties, which could be key given that Ireland scored more goals from set-pieces than any side in the qualifiers. Norwood produced more than double the number of key passes than any team-mate and was also number one for crosses. His combative nature in the centre of the park could also be useful for successful tackles and interceptions in Draft Kings.
The Long Shots
Setting you back just 4.5 in Uefa and listed as a defender, Chris Baird offers O’Neill an option at the back or in a defensive central midfield role. The former West Brom man started eight of the ten qualifiers and looks more reliable for minutes than the similarly-priced Craig Cathcart and Paddy McNair, who also started against Belarus at the weekend. Should he be handed a role in the centre of the park, Baird is another to consider for defensive actions in the Draft Kings game.
The situation in goal is somewhat uncertain as both Roy Carroll and Michael McGovern started five qualifiers apiece and have been named in the XI in two of the last four friendlies. The duo are priced at 4.5 in Uefa and if one can emerge as O’Neill’s first-choice stopper, could prove decent value – it’s worth keeping an eye on their line up against Slovakia on June 4 for any clarification.
Strikers Conor Washington and Will Grigg are priced at 5.0 and bagged a goal apiece at the weekend. Although the former is the most popular forward under 6.0 in Uefa, with 3% ownership, he has been afforded a single sub appearance of late – against Belarus on Sunday. Washington, on the other hand, has been named in the XI in each of the last three friendlies and seems a more secure pick for those tight on funds.
Niall McGinn earned more appearances that any wide player over the qualifiers and chipped in with a trio of assists. His appeal is virtually non-existent in the Uefa game due to his classification as a forward but if he’s listed as a midfielder in Draft Kings, could be a viable budget enabler.
Upcoming Friendlies
Slovakia vs Northern Ireland (June 4)
Further Analysis
Group A – Albania, France, Romania, Switzerland.
Group B England, Russia, Slovakia, Wales.
Group C Germany
