Wales Vs Republic of Ireland
Wales Vs Republic of Ireland Sunday 15th November 2020 – 17:00 Kick-Off
UEFA Nations League Group B4
Pick: Wales to WIN
Odds: 11/10
Bookmaker: BetFred
(All betting odds correct at time of writing: 12th November 2020)
Preview: Eight points separate the two teams in Group B4 of UEFA’s Nations League, as top of the table Wales set about wrapping up promotion at the Cardiff City Stadium. Were they to do so it would come at the expense of an Ireland outfit languishing in third and under serious threat of relegation.
UEFA Nations League Betting at Bet365
Table of Contents
Wales Preview – League A beckons under Giggsy?
Provided Finland don’t emerge from their encounter away to Bulgaria with any points, Wales (W3 D1) would be promoted to the top tier of Nations League with a game to spare with victory in Cardiff over Ireland. The Welsh sit atop Group B4, a point clear of the Finns, however, it was in the reverse fixture that Ryan Giggs saw his side drop points for the only occasion, in that frustrating goalless draw in Dublin.
Giggs will be absent for both remaining group games pending an investigation unrelated to footballing matters. Time will tell whether this proves an unwanted distraction for a team that had been upwardly mobile under the Manchester United legend. Wales had won seven of their past eleven internationals (W7 D3 L1), six of which were without conceding a single goal, losing only at Wembley to England in that time.
If there is a criticism of this team under Ryan Giggs though, it would perhaps be the goals column. Wales have scored more than once just five times in his 24 matches in charge. Admittedly, one of them was a 4-1 thrashing of Sunday’s opponents here in Cardiff. A repeat performance, meanwhile, would earn Giggs and Wales a coveted spot in League A for the next edition of this tournament.
Ireland Preview – Even a goal would constitute progress?
Stephen Kelly has struggled to endear himself as Ireland manager since assuming the reins in September. His first game in charge, away to Bulgaria, ended 1-1, courtesy of Shane Duffy popping up in the dying embers to salvage a draw with a trademark header. Across five subsequent matches they have neither won or managed a goal, losing last month’s crucial Euro 2020 play-off to Slovakia on penalties.
There is a sense of doom and gloom surrounding the Irish at the moment, not least because the football being played is doing little to inspire supporters. Kelly has inherited an issue that is more deep-rooted though; across their previous fourteen away internationals, Ireland have won once (W1 D7 L6) – that a slender 1-0 success over minnows Gibraltar – and scored a miserly five times.
Should those woes away from home extend into Sunday’s meeting in Cardiff then Ireland will find themselves in a winner takes all scenario for their final match-up, which will be at home to Bulgaria next Wednesday. The latter prop up the group, posting one point less than an Ireland side whose best endeavours thus far have translated translated into draws with Bulgaria (1-1, a) and Wales (0-0, h).
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Wales Vs Ireland Betting Advice
Whereas there are clear signs of progress being made under Ryan Giggs for Wales, the same cannot be said about Ireland under Stephen Kelly. It is still early into the latter’s tenure, however, displays up till now are inspiring no-one, not least the supporters back home who haven’t even witnessed in a goal in the vast majority of recent games. Not that Wales are especially prolific either.
Wales Vs Ireland – Key Facts:
- Excluding friendlies, Wales are unbeaten in five matches on home soil, registering four wins and keeping three clean sheets.
- A 1-0 scoreline in Gibraltar represents the only occasion Ireland have won a competitive away game in the last three years (W1 D6 L3 when excluding friendlies).
- Since the beginning of 2017 these nations have met on five occasions. Ireland returned one win (W1 D2 L2) but had lost two on the spin prior to Matchday 3’s 0-0 draw in Dublin.
Their Matchday 3 meeting in Ireland delivered what it said on the tin: a rather turgid affair that lacked any sort of cutting edge in the attacking thirds of the pitch. Yet I am not so keen on another 0-0 draw (11/1 with BetFred). Instead, Wales are a fair price to notch win number seven in eight home games. Five of their last six such victories were to nil, which has to be bad news for this blunt Irish outfit.
Best Betting Odds – Wales Vs Republic of Ireland
Wales – 11/10 (BetFred)
Draw – 11/5 (Bet365)
Republic of Ireland – 31/10 (PaddyPower)
