European Championship tips and odds
Our betting expert has prepared three tips for tonight’s European Championship Group B qualifier between Ireland and Greece at Aviva Stadium (kick-off, 7.45pm). Continue reading to find out the analysis behind his chosen selections.
Ireland vs Greece betting tips
Odds correct at time of publishing and subject to change.
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Kenny’s kids in need of a win
Ireland’s hopes of qualifying for next year’s European Championship in Germany are hanging by the thinnest of threads as they welcome Greece to Dublin.
Stephen Kenny’s side have not qualified for the tournament since 2016 and need a win over Greece to give them any hope of catching the Netherlands, who are second in the group.
When these sides met in the reverse fixture in June, Greece ran out 2-1 winners over Ireland, who had Matt Doherty sent off in the 90th minute.
But Ireland should be a different proposition in Dublin. In their three home qualifiers they have beaten Gibraltar and lost close games to France and the Netherlands.
World Cup finalists France edged a hard-fought game 1-0 and the Netherlands won 2-1 against an Ireland side who were without Evan Ferguson, who should start against Greece.
Gus Poyet’s side have recorded only one win in their last six away games – 3-0 over Gibraltar – so Ireland’s home advantage should see them over the line.
Ireland vs Greece tip 1: Ireland to win @ 7/5 with BetMGM
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Ferguson can be returning hero
Ferguson’s absence was keenly felt in the last international break as Ireland lost away to France and at home to the Netherlands.
The 18-year-old has shown he has the potential to be a top-class striker and averages a goal every 90.25 minutes in the Premier League this season.
For Ireland, he has scored twice in six appearances – both in home games – so the visit of Greece presents the perfect opportunity to add to his tally.
West Ham’s Konstantinos Mavropanos and Cagliari’s Pantelis Chatzidiakos are likely to start at the back for Greece but Ferguson should be confident of getting on the scoresheet.
Ireland vs Greece tip 2: Evan Ferguson to score any time @ 39/20 with BetMGM
Expect goals for bet builder
There have been over 2.5 goals in six of Ireland’s last seven home games as well as three of Greece’s previous four matches. That includes the 2-1 win for Greece when the countries met in June.
Both are desperate for a win and may throw everything into attack, meaning over 2.5 goals is a natural selection.
The other part to our bet builder is over 5.5 Ireland corners and, as we expect them to win a game with over 2.5 goals, corners should naturally follow.
This selection would have landed in all of Ireland’s previous six home matches, including against France and the Netherlands. Combining these two selections creates great value of 5/1.
Ireland vs Greece tip 3: Bet builder: Over 2.5 goals and over 5.5 Ireland corners @ 5/1 with BetMGM
Ireland vs Greece odds
Odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
Ireland vs Greece team news
Ireland
Gavin Bazunu will start in goal with Caoimhín Kelleher out injured while John Egan, Enda Stevens and Aaron Connolly all missed out on selection for the squad due to fitness concerns.
Ireland predicted line-up (3-4-2-1): Bazunu; O’Shea, Collins, Duffy; Doherty, Browne, Cullen, Manning; Ogbene, Idah; Ferguson
Greece
The only big absence for Greece is Sheffield United’s George Baldock who missed out on the squad with a leg injury.
Greece predicted line-up (4-3-3): Vlachodimos; Rota, Hatzidiakos, Mavropanos, Tsimikas; Bakasetas, Bouchalakis, Pelkas; Masouras, Pavlidis, Fountas.
Last five results
Ireland
10 Sep EC Ireland 1 Netherlands 2 L
7 Sep EC France 2 Ireland 0 L
19 Jun EC Ireland 3 Gibraltar 0 W
16 Jun EC Greece 2 Ireland 1 L
27 Mar EC Ireland 0 France 1 L
Greece
10 Sep EC Greece 5 Gibraltar 0 W
7 Sep EC Netherlands 3 Greece 0 L
19 Jun EC France 1 Greece 0 L
16 Jun EC Greece 2 Ireland 1 W
27 Mar FR Greece 0 Lithuania 0 D
EC European Championship qualifier FR Friendly
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