He steered Republic of Ireland to Euro 2016 at Scotland’s expense but failed to reach the World Cup and they look an ageing side on the slide.
The rammy between O’Neill’s No.2 Roy Keane and midfielder Harry Arter did nothing for squad harmony, with the Bournemouth star allegedly bawled out in an expletive-ridden rant for refusing to play through injuries. Arter sat out the last round of fixtures but is back for Saturday’s qualifier at home to Denmark.
The Irish had a disastrous start to their Nations League campaign, suffering a 4-1 hammering away to Wales, and are chronically short of quality.
O’Neill’s men are as big as 3-1 with McBookie to beat a side who thrashed them 5-1 in Dublin in the World Cup
play-offs second leg following a 0-0 draw in Copenhagen. A glimmer of light for Ireland is the absence of Denmark’s star man Christian Eriksen due to injury.
The Spurs ace is a big loss but the Danes, who opened with a 2-0 win over Wales, are still superior man for man and can at least dig out a draw.
The away win is 13-8 with bet365 and the stalemate pays 21-10 at William Hill but I’m on the Danes to avoid defeat at 41-100 with Marathonbet.
Elsewhere in the qualifiers, Slovakia can bounce back from defeat in Ukraine by getting their first win against Czech Republic. The Slovaks have won four competitive games on the spin at home and are 6-5
at BetStars.
Norway look good for the points at home to a Slovenian side who remain pointless after losing to Cyprus and Bulgaria. Take the Norwegians to win at 73-100 with Marathonbet.
Bulgaria are worth adding to an acca 4-7 with bet365 to rack up a third straight victory when they host Cyprus.
And Macedonia can win without conceding against minnows Liechtenstein beaten 4-0 away to the same opponents a year ago.
In English League One, back Portsmouth to respond in style from last week’s shock loss against Gillingham when they travel to Wimbledon.
That was a first defeat of the season for Pompey who sit three points clear at the top and have won five of their last six on the road.
Wimbledon sit just outside the drop zone having lost four of five while failing to score in the last two. Back Pompey at 13-10 with Paddy Power.
Scunthorpe and Peterborough have both gone goal crazy in recent weeks and btts is the call at 1-2 with Ladbrokes.
Wycombe’s last six games have all had goals at both ends and same again when they visit Coventry is 11-12 at 118bet.
Ex-Aberdeen ace Adam Rooney is tearing it up in the Northern League with Salford who should breeze it against lowly Braintree.
