Georgia V Ireland
Saturday 12 October 2019 – 14:00 Kick-Off
UEFA Euro 2020 Qualifying
Pick: Ireland to WIN
Odds: 13/10
Bookmaker: MoPlay
 |
1 | X | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 53/20 | 39/20 | 13/10 |
* (All betting odds displayed were correct as of 10 October 2019 at 18:05)
Preview: Only a win will suffice for Ireland in Georgia, with the Irish seeking to defend a slim advantage atop of Group D. The hosts, though, have tasted defeat on only one occasion at home in the past two years. So this could be another uncomfortable outing for The Bhoys in Green, played out inside the 54,000-capacity Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena, in Tbilisi.
UEFA Euro 2020 Betting – Bet22
Georgia Preview – More spirited resistance at home?
Results in Group D: Switzerland 0-2 (H), Ireland 1-0 (A), Gibraltar 3-0 (H), Denmark 5-1 (A), Denmark 0-0 (H)
The Georgians (4th – W1 D1 L3, GF4 GA8) were never realistically going to challenge for the automatic qualification spots in this section. Therefore there are no real surprises seeing them occupying fourth in Group D and some seven points behind leaders Ireland, who they next welcome to Tbilisi and were narrowly beaten 1-0 by back in March. That isn’t to say they should be dismissed lightly, however.
Particularly at home, Georgia have displayed a propensity for being a nuisance. As was in evidence only last month when second-placed Denmark dropped two crucial points after playing out a goalless draw in the Georgian capital. The Swiss were also made to sweat for their win there, needing two second half goals to secure a hard-fought 2-0 success, while the weakest nation in this section, Gibraltar, were comfortably dispatched 3-0 in a victory more emphatic than anything Ireland could muster against the same minnows.
Furthermore, that earlier outcome against Switzerland remains their only loss at home for two years (W8 D2 L1). It could be argued that many of the opponents faced in that spell were average or worse by international standards, but it is impressive nonetheless and the sort of record any nation would do their utmost to maintain.
Ireland Preview – Can Irish extend dominant H2H record?
Results in Group D: Gibraltar 0-1 (A), Georgia 1-0 (H), Denmark 1-1 (A), Gibraltar 2-0 (H), Switzerland 1-1 (H)
It wouldn’t be Ireland if qualification wasn’t an arduous slog. This campaign has been no different, with goals once again proving a rare commodity in their games. That is unlikely to concern them at this stage however, not when they are topping a strong group comprising of Denmark and Switzerland (1st – W3 D2 L0, GF6 GA2). The former are two points further back, but it is Switzerland who look a bigger danger with three points fewer but from one less game played.
Victory here, over a Georgian side beaten 1-0 in Dublin back in March that came courtesy of a strike from midfielder Conor Hourihane, would further enhance their claims for a top two finish. Anything less would leave them vulnerable, particularly with a crunch encounter in Switzerland to come only days later. So this genuinely has the feel of a decisive fixture for Ireland, who could do with the insurance policy three points over Georgia would provide them.
An utterly dominant head-to-head over their upcoming opponents, winning nine of the previous ten meetings (W9 D1), certainly bodes well. Although Ireland were held to a 1-1 draw on their most recent visit to the Georgian capital of Tibilsi, for a World Cup Qualifier in 2017. No loss in their last eight matches in all competitions (W5 D3) is also extremely encouraging – though a 1-0 win in Gibraltar does remain their only away success in the last eight (W1 D4 L3).
Georgia V Ireland Key Facts:
- Georgia have lost one of their last eleven matches on home soil (W8 D2 L1).
- Ireland top Group D (W3 D2) but have won just two of their previous twelve away matches (W2 D5 L4).
- These countries have met on ten previous occasions, with Ireland dominanting the head-to-head record: W9 D1.
Betting Summary
I expected Ireland to be shorter in price, mainly on the basis of them topping the group, but their odds-against quote is reflective of the difficult task at hand. Sure Ireland have performed well so far, going unbeaten after five rounds of games (W3 D2), but it could have been very different had they not found late equalisers against both their main rivals – scoring in the 85th minute to secure 1-1 draws in Denmark and at home to Switzerland.
Georgia are out of contention but are not without incentive here, seeking to bolster a superb recent home record which has seen them lose only to Switzerland (0-2) in their previous eleven said matches (W8 D2 L1). The latest of which being a very creditable 0-0 draw with Denmark – their eighth clean sheet in this sequence of form.
This is absolutely must-win for Ireland, who know far sterner examinations await in their final two fixtures with Denmark and Switzerland. The hosts will make this incredibly uncomfortable but Ireland’s superior quality and greater desire for points should see them negotiate an awkward venture unscathed. An Ireland Win to Nil could be worth chancing at 9/4 with BetVictor, with their three victories in this group all accompanied by clean sheets.
