Norway vs Belarus: Match Preview and Prediction

By

 Stefan Altenbach

Norway vs Belarus
International Friendly.
Date: Wednesday; 31-August-2016
Kick-off: 18:30 UK
Venue: Ullevaal Stadion (Oslo).

Norway and Belarus lock horns in an international friendly match at Oslo to perfect their tactics for the World Cup qualification campaign to that starts on 4th September.

Norway failed to qualify for the Euro 2016 after beaten by Hungary on aggregate in the play-offs. They haven’t qualified for the World Cup since 1998. Also, their last appearance in a major tournament was in the Euro 2000 co-hosted by Netherlands and Belgium. They will be keen to end their long wait for the participation in a major tournament with a new look squad. While their head-coach Per-Mathias Hogmo is in charge since 2013 and has already transformed this side into a competitive one.

Belarus national football team are seeking their first ever appearance in a major tournament. They were fourth in their European qualification group behind Spain, Slovakia and Ukraine. However, grouped into a strong group for the World Cup 2018 qualifiers which includes the Euro finalists France and Netherlands, their chances of advancing any further are quite slim.

Norway vs Belarus: Head-to-Head

Norway and Belarus have met on six occasions during qualification campaign, but this will be their first meeting sice 2005. Norwas were victorious in 3, while Belarus managed 1 win with 2 matches ending in draws.

The latest of the meeting was during the World Cup qualifiers in which Norway won 1-0 at Belarus on October 2005. While they drew 1-1 in the first leg played at Norway on September 2004.

Belarus earned 1-1 draws in their last two visits to Norway, while they lost 1-0 in the previous match.

Norway vs Belarus: Prediction

Norway are coming into this match on the back of 2 wins from their last eight matches. While Belarus defeated Republic Ireland 2-1 in a friendly just before the Euro 2016, which remains to be their only win and the match they scored a goal in five matches. But Norway have won in four of their last five home games, this could definitely tip them as slight favourites to edge this match. But this is a friendly and both teams will be have one eye on their qualifying matches and therefore they are not expected to give out their all.

I expect a low scoring affair once again as four of the six encounters between these sides have seen under 2.5 goals. Also, both sides are very defensive in their approach and a scoreless first half is very likely. I will also back a 1-0 win for Norway at the end of ninety minutes.