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You might well need a degree in data analytics to properly comprehend and calculate the UEFA coefficient, but here’s an equation you simply need common sense to wrap your head around: If Ireland draw with Belgium, who are THE WORLD’S NUMBER ONE TEAM BY AN INDISPUTABLE METRIC, then that makes Ireland at the very least, the joint-best team on planet earth does it not?
Save me the subtext, the real King Kenny is back baby.
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Tuesday 19.45pm: Republic of Ireland v Lithuania
TV: Sky Sports Arena
It won’t be long now until we can forget the Walkinstown Roundabout so we can stop listening to our fathers and uncles talk about how great it was that we beat Romania on penalties in Italia 90 as if it’s some sort of global achievement. No, this one is the launchpad for success going forward and Big Steo is set on world domination. First in our way? Lithuania.
A country I recently visited and had a great time in, but I reckon I could probably get into their 23-man squad these days. Certainly no match for the footballing superpower that is Stephen Kenny’s Ireland..
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The latest football odds are on PaddyPower.com right nowIreland to Win
Friendlies are being used to perfect the masterplan. That much is clear. And the results are being sketchy and inconsistent because the process is more important than the short-term spoils.
If you don’t know that by now, then you haven’t been paying attention. So I’m always hesitant to actually commit to Ireland winning games of football even when they should, simply because that’s not the important thing in their manager’s mind.
But given the disparity between the sides here, I feel happy to recommend Ireland to win the game itself – Lithuania struggled past San Marino in their most-recent outing, so that’ll tell you where they’re at.
Both Teams to Score – No
In games that are even remotely competitive, Lithuania tend to come up short in front of goal. They lost 5-0 on aggregate to Switzerland, 7-0 to Italy and couldn’t breach Northern Ireland, Kosovo or Estonia.
Ireland now play a brand of football that doesn’t actually give free possession close to their own goal to inferior opposition and that’s enjoyable. Lithuania will struggle to hold the ball up and therefore can’t string passes together to break down the behemoth that is Shane Duffy.
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Under 2.5 Goals
Control the game. That’s the focus. Ireland don’t possess a huge amount of desire to rack up goals, particularly in exhibitions and you shouldn’t be expecting it here – especially as the changes will be seismic mid-game, interrupting both the flow and the patterns.
Chiedozie Ogbene to Score First
He won’t be playing in League One for too much longer, I’ll tell you that much. And that’s not just because Rotherham are top of the table, he just makes things happen.
His spark is unrivalled and makes more of a direct impact on an Ireland team than anyone I can remember in recent times. The fact he’s playing in a 3-5-2 now really suits his skillset and I’d back him to break the deadlock here.
Ireland v Lithuania Bet Builder:
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FOOTBALL TIPS TONIGHT
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