Northern Ireland’s adventure in the 2026-27 edition of the Nations League begins with a tough test in Georgia on Friday evening.
And Michael O’Neill’s visitors will have to try and stop one of the world’s best players in Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, the two-time Champions League winner with Paris Saint-Germain.
Unsurprisingly, the flying winger is a strong candidate for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, and his record on the international stage is typically brilliant.
Can Northern Ireland silence Kvaratskhelia and the passionate Georgian crowd? We will soon find out, but first up here is our full sports betting preview, complete with the latest Nations League odds.
And if multiple markets from Friday’s big match in Tbilisi catch your eye, remember you can combine them into a single wager with NetBet Sport’s brilliant Bet Builder feature. Play your way this season and beyond!
Where can I watch Georgia vs Northern Ireland in the UK?
Georgia vs Northern Ireland will be broadcast live on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer, with kick-off scheduled for 5pm UK time.
Georgia vs Northern Ireland Preview
Recent results
Georgia missed out on a spot at World Cup 2026 due to a woeful qualifying campaign which saw them lose five of their six matches, including a 4-1 defeat in Turkey and a 4-0 home loss vs Spain. Georgia played four friendlies since a 2-1 failure against Bulgaria in their final qualifier, with Willy Sagnol’s team drawing with Israel (2-2) and Romania (1-1), as well as beating Lithuania (0-2) and Bahrain (2-0).
Northern Ireland also failed to reach the World Cup, but at least qualified for the UEFA Play-Offs. O’Neill’s side were drawn against Italy in the semi-finals and eventually suffered a 2-0 loss in Bergamo. Since then, the Green and White Army played three friendlies, a 1-1 draw with Wales followed by a 3-1 loss to France and 1-0 victory over Guinea.
Head-to-head record
Georgia and Northern Ireland met on just one previous occasion, a 2008 international friendly at Windsor Park in Belfast which the hosts won 3-0.
Team news
*Squads subject to change
Georgia squad:
Goalkeepers – Giorgi Mamardashvili, Davit Kereselidze, Luka Gugeshashvili
Defenders – Luka Lochoshvili, Jemal Tabidze, Ilia Beriashvili, Irakli Azarovi, Saba Sazonov, Saba Goglichidze, Otar Kakabadze, Lasha Dvali
Midfielders – Otar Kiteishvili, Giorgi Kochorashvili, Giorgi Tsitaishvili, Nodar Lominadze, Anzor Mekvabishvili, Giorgi Chakvetadze, Giorgi Abuashvili, Otar Mamageishvili, Gizo Mamageishvili, Irakli Yegoian
Forwards – Budu Zivzivadze, Giorgi Gagua, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Georges Mikautadze, Zuriko Davitashvili, Giorgi Kvernadze
Northern Ireland squad:
Goalkeepers – Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Conor Hazard, Pierce Charles
Defenders – Daniel Ballard, Trai Hume, Ciaron Brown, Brodie Spencer, Paddy McNair, Ruairi McConville, Terry Devlin, Tom Atcheson, Eoin Toal, Michael Forbes
Midfielders – Ethan Galbraith, Justin Devenny, Shea Charles, Isaac Price, Paul Smyth, Jordan Thompson, Jamie McDonnell, Patrick Kelly, Kieran Morrison
Forwards – Josh Magennis, Dion Charles, Callum Marshall, Jamie Donley, Braiden Graham, Ceadach O’Neill
Georgia vs Northern Ireland Odds
*All odds are subject to change
Georgia are heavy favourites to claim the win here at a price of 1.78. A victory for Northern Ireland is at odds of 4.10, while the draw is 3.53.
Georgia vs Northern Ireland Betting Tips
Player to score or assist – Khvicha Kvaratskhelia @ 1.81
As we mentioned in the intro, Kvaratskhelia’s numbers with Georgia are fantastic. The 25-year-old superstar scored 23 goals and tallied 10 assists in the first 50 games for his country, with 15 of those contributions recorded on the Nations League stage. Sure, Kvaratskhelia has started the 2026-27 campaign rather slowly with PSG, but five goals and one assist in his last six home internationals are reason enough to support this selection.
Anytime goalscorer – Georges Mikautadze @ 2.49
Villarreal striker Mikautadze is Georgia’s primary goal threat, with 23 of them tallied in 43 previous international appearances. He also has a good record in this competition with eight goals in 14 matches, so backing him here at a decent price looks well worth your time.
Both teams to score – Yes @ 1.87
But while we are tipping Georgia’s household names to shine bright, the stats suggest Northern Ireland should join the hosts on the scoresheet. Georgia kept just one clean sheet in the last seven competitive matches, while O’Neill’s side scored at least one goal in four of the previous five games – the only blip being the trip to Italy. So a well-priced BTTS pick looks very tempting indeed.
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