Football Tips: Our 35/1 Ireland v Netherlands Bet Builder for Sunday evening

Our footie tipster Shane O'Brien reckons Ireland could cause a few problems.

Ireland v Netherlands Bet Builder Tips

The Draw
Both Teams to Score
Jayson Molumby to Commit Two or More Fouls
Netherlands to Have Five or More Shots on Target
Over 9.5 Corners

A Bet Builder with these selections pays at approximately 35/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD TO YOUR BETSLIP.

Sunday 7.45pm: Ireland v Netherlands
Euro 2024 Qualifier, Aviva Stadium, Dublin
TV: RTE 2, Viaplay Sports 1

The Draw

As if Ireland’s slim hopes of qualifying could get any slimmer, it now appears as though the Netherlands have rediscovered their form and are once again good. The Dutch started their qualifying campaign in underwhelming circumstances, going down to a 4-0 mauling in France before only managing to beat Gibraltar 3-0 despite having more than 50 shots.

However, their 3-0 win over Greece on Thursday puts them firmly in the driving seat for the second automatic qualifying spot and they can all but eliminate Ireland by avoiding defeat in Dublin.

Stephen Kenny’s side were thoroughly outclassed in Paris on Thursday, although that is perhaps to expected when France were bringing a litany of Champions League winners and Ballon d’Or nominees off the bench while Ireland were bringing on players playing in League One and League Two.

Ireland simply have to go for this game on Sunday night as anything other than a win will make it practically impossible for them to catch the Dutch or Greece.

With the backing of a sold-out Aviva Stadium, they should take the game to the Dutch in what be Kenny’s last stand, but they may be forced to settle for a Draw against their superior rivals.

Both Teams to Score

Ireland rarely looked like scoring in Thursday’s defeat to France, but that is hardly surprising considering France have conceded just six goals in their last 19 qualifiers. The Dutch, while being much better than Ireland, are nowhere near the same level as the French and will present Ireland with a few openings on Sunday night.

Ireland, meanwhile, have kept one clean sheet in four qualifiers to date, managing to keep the mighty Gibraltar at bay in June. The Dutch do not possess the same attacking threats as France, but it would still be a major surprise if they failed to net in Dublin so it’s Both Teams To Score.

Jayson Molumby to Commit Two or More Fouls

The Dutch may not be on France’s level, but they arguably keep the ball better than the World Cup runners-up. It is going to be a difficult night for Jayson Molumby, Jason Knight and Josh Cullen in the Irish midfield and it won’t be a surprise if they commit several fouls between them.

Of the three, Molumby is by far the most likely to Commit 2 Or More Fouls. The West Brom midfielder is the enforcer in the middle of the pitch for Ireland and has averaged 1.3 fouls per game in qualifying so far. He averages a foul a game in the Championship and is likely to considerably better that average against a technically excellent Dutch side.

    Netherlands to Have Five or More Shots on Target

    Ireland have faced a minimum of five shots on target in their three qualifying games that didn’t involve Gibraltar. Kenny’s men have struggled to keep Greece and France at bay and Gavin Bazunu’s recent struggles with long shots appears to have encouraged teams to try their luck from range.

    The Netherlands are likely to dominate the ball on Sunday night and will almost certainly work plenty of goal-scoring opportunities. They have recorded at least five shots on target in each of their qualifiers and Nations League games this year and are likely to continue that record against Ireland so we’ll take Netherlands To Have 5 Or More Shots On Target.

    Over 9.5 Corners

    Not counting their 3-0 win over Gibraltar that saw them win 19 corners, the Dutch have won an average of just over five corners per game in four competitive games this year.

    They will probably better that average against the Irish on Sunday, with Ireland likely to be forced into defensive positions for large parts of the game.

    At the other end, Ireland have won an average of five corners a game in the three qualifiers that didn’t involve Gibraltar. They may not win that many on Sunday, but a corner feels like the best chance Ireland have of scoring. They should at least win a few corners of their own so we’ll round off with Over 9.5 Corners.

    Ireland v Netherlands Betting Tips

    The Draw
    Both Teams to Score
    Jayson Molumby to Commit Two or More Fouls
    Netherlands to Have Five or More Shots on Target
    Over 9.5 Corners

    A Bet Builder with these selections pays at approximately 35/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD TO YOUR BETSLIP.

    *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.

    READ MORE

      The latest football odds are on PaddyPower.com now

      THE PADDY POWER GUIDE TO SAFER GAMBLING – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW