Slovakia had been unbeaten in four meetings with Northern Ireland, winning three of them, prior to a 2-0 defeat in Belfast last month. The Falcons are currently unbeaten in eight competitive home games; the Green and White Army have won only two of their last 15 away.
Slovakia vs Northern Ireland preview
Can Northern Ireland move three points closer to qualifying for a first World Cup since Mexico '86? So far in this campaign, only Germany have managed to beat Michael O'Neill's team, narrowly beaten 3-1 in Köln in September and then 1-0 when die Nationalelf visited Windsor Park last month. Meantime, the Green and White Army have left the Stade de Luxembourg 3-1 winners, before also claiming victory when Slovakia visited Belfast; Trai Hume's spectacular strike securing a 2-0 win.
Despite this, Northern Ireland remain third in Group A, three points below both Germany and Slovakia, ahead of hosting already eliminated Luxembourg on Monday. The Green and White Army are already guaranteed a play-off spot via the Nations League, but finishing second in this group would improve their seeding, while O'Neill will want to continue to build momentum ahead of a huge March camp. So, will the traveling supporters have a victory to celebrate at the Košická futbalová Aréna?
As for Slovakia, their sole World Cup appearance as an independent nation came at South Africa 2010, but they're believing that could change in North America. Francesco Calzona's team began this campaign with a famous 2-0 victory over Germany; Dávid Hancko and David Strelec the scorers at Národný futbalový štadión. Since, the Falcons have enjoyed a pair of victories over Luxembourg, that defeat in Belfast the only blot on their copy book, albeit a potentially costly one.
As a result, the Representatives are currently level on nine points with Germany, who they face in Leipzig on the final matchday. However, failure to win this one, followed by defeat at Red Bull Arena, could see Slovakia slip down to third, thereby suffering elimination. Thus, Calzona's team need a victory in Košice, thereby rubber stamping a top two finish and taking Northern Ireland out of the equation. So, which way will this clash on the eastern reaches of the Slovak Ore Mountains go?
Slovakia vs Northern Ireland head-to-head record
- Matches Played: 6.
- Slovakia Wins: 3. Draws: 1. Northern Ireland Wins: 2.
Slovakia team news
The home side are without key midfielder Ondrej Duda who is suspended, after collecting his second caution of the campaign against Luxembourg at Štadión Antona Malatinského last month.
Elsewhere, Burnley's Martin Dúbravka will be donning the gloves, while Milan Škriniar alongside Dávid Hancko form a pretty imperious defensive pairing.
Slovakia predicted lineup vs Northern Ireland: (4-3-3): Dúbravka; Gyömbér, Škriniar, Obert, Hancko; Lobotka, Rigo, Hrošovský; Ďuriš, Haraslín, Strelec.
Slovakia player to watch vs Northern Ireland
David Strelec of Middlesbrough is the top scoring forward in this squad, bagging his eighth for Slovakia against Germany in September, so could he be the hero here too?
Northern Ireland team news
Michael O'Neill is without suspended midfielder Ethan Galbraith, but Liverpool's Conor Bradley can return having served a ban of his own when Germany visited Windsor Park.
Meantime, Brodie Spencer, Ali McCann and Shea Charles are all injured, while Bailey Peacock-Farrell will continue in goal in the absence of Pierce Charles due to a shoulder issue.
Dan Ballard scored, assisted and pulled off an astonishing goal line clearance against Arsenal on Saturday, so will start in defence alongside Paddy McNair, who will win his 80th cap.
Northern Ireland predicted lineup vs Slovakia: (3-4-2-1): Peacock-Farrell; McNair, Hume, Ballard; Bradley, Saville, Smyth, Devenny; Price, Marshall, Reid.
Northern Ireland player to watch vs Slovakia
Isaac Price is the Green and White Army's main man for goals, bagging his tenth against Germany at RheinEnergieStadion in September, so can he add to his tally in Košice?
Slovakia vs Northern Ireland prediction
This clash at the Košická futbalová aréna on Friday is vital for both and so tough to call, hence why we're forecasting a low-scoring draw which mainly helps Germany: Slovakia 1-1 Northern Ireland.
Slovakia vs Northern Ireland FAQs - World Cup qualifier
How to watch Slovakia vs Northern Ireland in World Cup qualification on TV channel?
Slovakia vs Northern Ireland in World Cup qualification will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: BBC Three & BBC Two Northern Ireland
- USA: Fox Sports & fuboTV
- Canada: DAZN Canada
How to watch Slovakia vs Northern Ireland in World Cup qualification on live streaming?
Slovakia vs Northern Ireland in World Cup qualification will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: BBCiPlayer
- USA: Foxsports.com & fuboTV
- Canada: DAZN Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for Slovakia vs Northern Ireland in World Cup qualification?
Slovakia vs Northern Ireland takes place on Friday 14 November 2025, with kick off at 19:45 (GMT), 14:45 (ET) & 11:45 (PT).