Ireland to dish out another beating to lowly Gibraltar
GIBRALTAR’S first appearance in an international qualifying campaign has yielded six defeats from six and the poorest goal difference of any side in the competition. They have lost half of their games 7-0 and, this evening, Republic of Ireland will be looking to repeat their win by that scoreline as they cling onto the hope they can qualify for France next summer.
Martin O’Neill’s men come into this match on the back of three straight draws, but have performed credibly against Group D leaders Poland, England in a friendly and Scotland.
It’s inconceivable that Gibraltar will win this. Sporting Index have Ireland trading at 24-25 on their win index, effectively not offering a price on Ireland taking the three points at the Estadio Algarve. Sportingbet are best-priced 1/33 on an Irish triumph.
The goals have dried up for Ireland since that emphatic 7-0 win, but Robbie Keane and the rest of the side won’t get a better opportunity to find their rhythm ahead of the crunch home ties with Georgia and Germany.
Ireland supremacy is quoted at 4.65-4.95 with Sporting Index and anything less than a margin of victory by five goals would be considered disappointing.
Keane hit a hat-trick in the first 18 minutes of the reverse fixture, opening the scoring after only six minutes, and spread bettors should sell the time of the first Ireland goal at 18.
▀ Pointers…
Sell the time of the first Ireland goal at 18 (Sporting Index)