Republic of Ireland v Scotland
Saturday 13th June – Kickoff: 1700hrs
Football – Europe – European Championships Qualification
Group D is undoubtedly the tightest of all the qualifying sections for Euro 2016, with four nations vying for the top two positions. In all likeliness, Poland and Germany – who currently sit first and second – will pick up another three points today, which means there is very little margin for error for both the Republic of Ireland and Scotland, when the two clash in Dublin. The first meeting came back in November when Scotland secured a very narrow victory at Celtic Park. Shaun Maloney’s well worked goal was the difference on that occasion, and I expect this game will be just as tight.
Despite having four games left after this one, and just three points to make up on group leaders Poland, it is not an exaggeration to suggest that Ireland have to take all three points against Scotland if they are to qualify automatically. The Irish support will argue that they have played the most difficult game of the group following their draw in Germany, but their inability to take three points from their visit to Scotland or at home to Poland has them up against it. On the positive side, however, if they can take three points today it will see them leapfrog their opponents ahead of what look very winnable games against Gibraltar and Georgia in September.
If somebody had offered Gordon Strachan for his Scotland team to be level on points with Germany at the halfway stage, he would have grabbed it with both hands. Strachan may not have accounted for Poland’s excellent form but it has been a strong start for Scotland, nonetheless. After losing their first match of the qualifying campaign away to Germany, the Scots have won three and drawn one since, and another positive result would be most welcome this weekend. A draw would be solid enough return for Strachan and his players, as it would keep the gap between themselves and Ireland, however a win would mean they maintain touch with the sides above them, and that must be their aim at this stage.
There was virtually nothing to separate these two when they met eight months ago, and it is all set up for a very similar encounter. It took a very clever set-piece routine to make the difference and I expect it to be a piece of brilliance again, or a mistake from one of the players if there is to be a winner this time around. The onus is certainly on the home side to show the urgency, but that could play into Scotland’s hands as they have plenty of pace on the counter.
Republic of Ireland v Scotland Betting Tips
The two managers have a lot of similarities in how they set their teams up, and because the quality in both squads is near enough identical, there is little to suggest this will be anything other than a very close contest. If there is to be a winner then I suspect it will be by the odd goal. I am staying away from the goal markets, however, and prefer to invest my money in the home side having seven or more corners. It is virtually a derby and that will ensure a frenetic pace. Both play with a lot of width and as Ireland have to get a win for them to be in with a chance of finishing in the top two, I am confident we will see plenty of set-pieces. There were 11 when the two clashed in November (eight for Ireland), whilst Scotland gave up seven away to Poland, and 12 away to Germany. Ireland have won 15 corners in their two home games during qualification.
Over 6.5 Republic of Ireland corners 11/10 @ Boylesports
