Ireland v Greece Betting Tips
Evan Ferguson to Score
Both Teams to Score
Josh Cullen to Commit 2 or More Fouls
Over 9.5 Corners
Ireland to Win
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Euro 2024, Group B
Ireland v Greece, Friday, 7:45pm
Aviva Stadium, Dublin
TV: Viaplay, RTE Two
Ireland to Win
It has been a campaign to forget for Ireland and manager Stephen Kenny. The Boys in Green have lost four of five games so far, with their defeat against Greece being the lowest point of the qualifying group so far.
Defeats against France and the Netherlands can be excused due to the quality of the opposition, but the loss in Athens last June was inexcusable and arguably one of the worst performances Ireland have produced in years.
Remarkably, they still retain slim hopes of qualifying automatically for the Euros, but they need so many things to go their way that it is virtually impossible. Even the things in their control – i.e. winning all three of their remaining games – is incredibly unlikely.
Ireland’s chances of making the play-offs are also remote, although not as remote as qualifying automatically. One thing is for sure, however, they absolutely must beat Greece on Friday night to ensure they don’t finish above the Dutch in Group B, which would completely scupper any hopes of making the play-offs.
Greece have won three out of five games in qualifying so far, although two of those wins did come against Gibraltar. They were recently ripped apart by the Dutch in Amsterdam and represent an opportunity to register a big win for manager Stephen Kenny.
Evan Ferguson to Score
It is not an exaggeration to state that the entire hopes of Irish football are pinned firmly on the shoulders of Evan Ferguson for the next ten years or more. The Brighton striker has already scored twice for his country and registered an assist during the dismal defeat in Athens.
He has scored four times for Brighton this season but has not bagged since his magnificent hat-trick against Newcastle on September 2.
Ferguson is definitely Ireland’s biggest goal threat and can make his mark against a Greek side that has conceded five in three games against teams that are not Gibraltar.
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Both Teams to Score
Ireland have managed just one clean sheet in five qualifying games so far – that coming against Gibraltar in June. They conceded twice in a friendly against Latvia in March and seem to concede with every shot from outside the box that they face.
Greece, meanwhile, have also only managed clean sheets against Gibraltar, struggling defensively against the other three teams in the group.
Even Ireland, who put in one of their worst-ever performances in Athens, managed to cause problems for the Greek defence at certain points in the game. Ireland will probably have to score at least twice if they are to win and there is a good chance that they will do so.
Josh Cullen to Commit 2 or more Fouls
Josh Cullen performs a very important role at the base of Ireland’s midfield and will be tasked with breaking up the Greek attack. As important as he is to the Irish midfield, the Burnley man is also culpable of making several fouls per game.
Cullen is Ireland’s most persistent fouler in qualifying so far, averaging two fouls per game in five qualifiers.
Chiedoze Ogbene and Jayson Molumby boast the next-highest average on 1.3 fouls per game. Meanwhile, Cullen also averages 1.3 fouls per game in the Premier League, the second-highest average of any Burnley player. He could easily reach his qualifying average against the Greeks in what will likely be a fiery affair.
Over 9.5 Corners
Ireland conceded what felt like hundreds of corners in the opening 10 minutes of their defeat to Greece in Athens and there is every chance that there will be at least 10 corners here.
Greece actually won six corners in the opening seven minutes, a statistic which is staggering enough in its own right. In their games against nations that are not Gibraltar, Ireland have won an average of over five corners per game, while Greece have done likewise in three games against Ireland, France, and the Netherlands.
Greece won 28 corners in their two games against Gibraltar, while Ireland won 14 in their outing against the same opponents, so it makes no sense to include those outliers.
However, both sides have clearly demonstrated that they win plenty of corners and there is every chance that the corner count reaches double digits. After all, Ireland scored from a corner in Athens and a set piece remains one of their best hopes of scoring now.
Ireland v Greece Bet Builder Tips
Evan Ferguson to Score
Both Teams to Score
Josh Cullen to Commit 2 or more Fouls
Over 9.5 Corners
Ireland to Win
A Bet Builder with these selections pays at approximately 38/1 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.
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