Gibraltar V Georgia
Tuesday 15 October 2019 – 19:45 Kick-Off
UEFA Euro 2020 Qualifying
Pick: Georgia & Over 2.5 Goals
Odds: 4/6
Bookmaker: Ladbrokes
 |
1 | X | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 43/2 | 143/20 | 3/20 |
* (All betting odds displayed were correct as of 13 October 2019 at 17:40)
Preview: Not the most exciting fixture in prospect but one both sets of players will nevertheless feel they can win. It would be a first victory of Euro 2020 Qualifying for Gibraltar were that to be the case, but it is Georgia who are firm favourites to prevail at Victoria Stadium and thus extend their 100% head-to-head record to four wins.
Euro 2020 Qualifying Betting – 22Bet
Gibraltar Preview – Can minnows secure first points of Euro 2020?
Results in Group D: Ireland 0-1 (H), Georgia 3-0 (A), Ireland 2-0 (A), Denmark 0-6 (H), Switzerland 4-0 (A), Kosovo 1-0 (A)
Only San Marino are ranked lower in the latest FIFA Rankings than Gibraltar (5th – W0 D0 L5, GF0 GA16), who have fallen to 197 in the world (out of 210) since reaching their highest point, which was 190 in October 2018. This has, sadly for them, been all too apparent during this qualifying campaign and there is now the very real prospect of them seeing it out without registering a single point or, worse still, not even scoring a goal.
After five qualifiers, they are still to do either. More worryingly is that realistic fixtures – those games we could feasibly envisage them doing something in – have been almost completely exhausted. In fact, this home encounter with Georgia, who were comfortable 3-0 winners at home when the teams met in June, is probably last chance saloon what with daunting duels with Denmark and Switzerland to follow.
Even this fixture may prove beyond their capabilities, though, certainly on the basis of their recent form. Thursday’s friendly defeat in Kosovo (1-0) made it nine consecutive losses in all competitions, eight of which were without scoring. At home they have lost their last four, losing to Denmark (0-6) and Ireland (0-1) in this campaign, but can, however, take some inspiration from a couple of wins at home in 2018 when beating Liechtenstein (2-1) and Latvia (1-0).
Georgia Preview – Another routine win against their opponents?
Results in Group D: Switzerland 0-2 (H), Ireland 1-0 (A), Gibraltar 3-0 (H), Denmark 5-1 (A), Denmark 0-0 (H), Ireland 0-0 (H)
Beginning the competition as the fourth best team in this section according to the FIFA Rankings (now ranked 91), Georgia (4th – W1 D2 L3, GF4 GA8) are on course for a par campaign, which would be them finishing in fourth position. Friday’s goalless draw at home to Ireland officially eliminated them from the automatic qualifying equation in this group, one they were never truly in such is the gulf in class standing between them and most sides in Group D.
However, this competition is far from over for coach Vladimir Weiss and his team. A successful Nations League, in which they topped their section, means an opportunity to qualify through the play-offs awaits them. In the meantime, two further group games need to be ticked off, though only one – this one with a Gibraltar side they beat 3-0 earlier in proceedings – is eminently winnable, and winnable qualifying games are like gold dust for the Georgians.
For a team that has won only once in seven games (W1 D3 L3), failing to conjure even a goal in four of those, this has to be viewed as an unmissable opportunity to record what could be a morale boosting win ahead of that crucial play-off. No win in their last four away matches (D2 L2) is not exactly inspiring though, particularly the 1-1 draw in Andorra. They did, however, pick up a couple of useful wins away to Kazakhstan (0-2) and Latvia (0-3) last year.
Gibraltar V Georgia Key Facts:
- Gibraltar are currently on a nine-match losing run and sit bottom of this Euro 2020 qualifying group (W0 D0 L5).
- Georgia have won only one of their previous seven games (W1 D3 L3) and sit fourth in this group (W1 D2 L3).
- The previous three meetings were won by Georgia, all achieved without conceding and by at least three clear goals.
Betting Summary
Defeats in each of their previous nine matches. Not a single point registered in Euro 2020 qualifying so far, nor even a goal scored. Gibraltar look a hopeless cause at present, with even this presentable opportunity against a nation directly above them in the standings likely to pass them by as the country continues its forlorn course towards a pointless campaign.
The sooner these final few group encounters are out the way, the better for Georgia, who can now begin preparations for the play-offs. This trip to Gibraltar could have it uses, though, with a rare win – what would only be their second in eight games (W1 D3 L3 prior) – the ideal confidence booster. Though this is a team with no win, or clean sheet, in its last four away matches.
Previous meetings have been a breeze for Georgia, who have won all three encounters by three clear goals and without even conceding. Gibralar, though, could and should view this as their best chance of picking up their first points of the group. If the hosts do decide to be more ambitious, that could well play into the visitor’s hands.
