Ireland to Win
Troy Parrott to Score Anytime
Over 1.5 First Half Goals
Jayson Molumby to be Shown a Card
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
*A Bet Builder with these selections pays at approximately 19/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
Tuesday 7:45pm: Ukraine vs Scotland
TV: Premier Sports 2, RTE2
Ireland’s first half against Scotland was as good a display as we’ve put in as a nation in a long time. Ultimately, Stephen Kenny said the same thing however, the issue is the consistency for us to become a footballing entity that doesn’t just flash, but produces results.
My plea to you is to block out the noise. Because in the past, when Ireland were at major tournaments or right on the cusp of reaching them and doing so in a less-than-appealing fashion, people bemoaned the long-term sustainability of that. Now we’re trying to factor in a genuine approach that’ll impact us for generations of talent and the short-term results are the issue.
The only problem is – certain games just require you to win now, because of the nonsensical outrage that’ll come should you fail. Unfortunately for Ireland and Stephen Kenny, Tuesday night against Armenia is exactly that. But will Kenny sacrifice ideals for pragmatism? Is this even within his comprehension? Welcome to a night of pure tension.
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Ireland to Win
They might be pragmatic, but they’re not blind to criticism and the one thing that stings Ireland more than anything – call it ‘small nation syndrome’ if you want – is a defeat that shouldn’t happen.
We’ve been a country that performs well for a long time against bigger nations, but they’re always forgotten about. The moments that linger are the embarrassing displays – like Cyprus, Luxembourg or the away defeat in the reverse fixture against Armenia.
Maybe that’s just us adoring trauma in every sense, but I do genuinely believe that we won’t make the same mistake twice. Armenia weren’t better than us in Yerevan, and they certainly won’t be here in front of a home crowd who appreciate a team who are improving every time they play together. They dug deep against Scotland and can go one better here and take the victory.
Troy Parrott to Score Anytime
I think the thing that stunned me most about Armenia was how happy they were to give possession to Ireland when they played last June in Yerevan. The primary concern when you’re a side that’s best-suited to catching teams on the break, is that the transition to becoming possession-focused takes some real time, and the quality of chances you create is quite low.
You saw that in their first game, where Ireland had 68% of the ball, 13 shots – and yet just two of them landed on target. The opening half display in Scotland should encourage everyone. The quality will come, and the best finishers will be the ones to convert.
Ogbene and Obafemi might give you the most dynamic outputs, but Parrott is the only player in the squad who can actively convert half chances so we’re backing him to Score Anytime here.
Over 1.5 First Half Goals
Ireland start quickly. God love them, they’re yet to master the following 45, but they’re quick off the mark. And their performances immediately after disappointment are often their best – particularly early on.
And the fact that Stephen Kenny is sticking with the same team, pretty much, is a ringing endorsement of that XI. They’ll be out to back him up on that selection. By not specifying who’s scoring the goals, we can also cover ourselves in case of a total meltdown early doors. I enjoy the flexibility.
Jayson Molumby to be Shown a Card
When Ireland have a lot of the ball, they’re genuinely short-handed when they lose possession. In those instances, they’ve become slightly more cynical which I enjoy. Those yellow cards are fantastic in their nature because they’re always so blunt. And I actually quite enjoy the fact that we’re having to take the bookings because it shows we’re overloading in midfield areas, trying to link up.
The downside to that of course is because we’re simply trying to stop fast breaking sides in their tracks, we’re fairly much always going to have to sacrifice someone’s disciplinary record.
The lamb, in question, is Jayson Molumby.
Ireland vs Armenia Bet Builder
Ireland to Win
Troy Parrott to Score Anytime
Over 1.5 First Half Goals
Jayson Molumby to be Shown a Card
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
*A Bet Builder with these selections pays at approximately 19/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
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