UEFA Nations League: Northern Ireland vs Georgia live coverage on GPB First Channel #1TVSPORT

Georgia face a tough trip to Belfast on Monday night to take on Northern Ireland in Matchday 4 of the UEFA Nations League. Kick-off is scheduled for 22:45 Tbilisi time (19:45 BST), with live coverage broadcast on GPB First Channel, First Channel Sport, and Georgian Radio.

Northern Ireland

Following a strong start to their Nations League B2 campaign, Northern Ireland host Georgia at Windsor Park in Belfast on Monday evening.

Before this campaign, Michael O’Neill’s side managed just two wins in seven outings. However, they kicked off their Nations League campaign with a 1-0 away victory over Georgia on 25 September. Since then, Northern Ireland fought to a goalless draw with Hungary before convincingly sweeping Ukraine 3-0 on Friday. Sitting top of Group B2 on seven points, O’Neill’s men have placed themselves firmly in the frame for promotion to League A.

Northern Ireland will be without Sunderland central defender Dan Ballard, who sustained a thigh injury in the previous encounter against Georgia. In his absence, O’Neill is expected to deploy Tom Atcheson, Ruairi McConville, and Ciaron Brown as a central defensive trio, flanked by wing-backs Brodie Spencer and Terry Devlin.

The hosts head into the clash brimming with confidence. Brimming with confidence, the hosts boast a formidable home record at Windsor Park. Since October 2023, they have kept ten clean sheets in their last 12 home matches, racking up nine wins, two draws, and only one defeat.

Georgia

Georgia’s autumn campaign got off to a turbulent start; a 1-0 opening defeat to Northern Ireland quickly prompted the sacking of head coach Willy Sagnol. The French tactician had been in charge since 2021, famously steering Georgia to their historic first-ever European Championship appearance at Euro 2024, where they reached the last 16 before falling to eventual champions Spain.

Having missed out on qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a sluggish start to the Nations League left the Crusaders in dire need of momentum. Ramaz Svanadze, 45, was appointed to replace Sagnol after a successful five-year tenure managing Georgia’s Under-21 side.

Under his stewardship, the Crusaders earned a 0-0 draw against Ukraine on September 28 before succumbing to a 1-0 defeat against Hungary in Budapest. Now languishing at the bottom of the group with just a solitary point and still searching for their first goal, Georgia desperately needs a positive result in Belfast.

Georgia will be without Sturm Graz playmaker Otar Kiteishvili, who picked up a muscle injury during the defeat to Hungary. In his absence, Svanadze is expected to turn to either Anzor Mekvabishvili, Irakli Egoyan, or Gizi Mamageishvili to anchor the engine room.