IRELAND v England was turgid and Scotland v Qatar wasn't much better. So what chances is there of Ireland-Scotland being a thriller?
The stakes are much higher but maybe they're too great and the fear of losing could lead to a struggle.
It's a massive Euro 2016 qualifier that could hinge on one moment of magic or one shoddy slip. It was a piece of genius that separated the sides at Hampden when Shaun Maloney struck and the Dublin version promises to be just as tight.
However, under Gorodn Strachan the Scots have hardly put a foot wrong and I don't think we'll lose. As the Irish are 7-5 favourites with William Hill you can back Scotland on the double chance (not to lose) at 7-11 with 888sport or draw no bet at a better price of 11-8 at 888sport.
To win Scotland are 5-2 at McBookie and BetVictor while the draw that suits as more than O'Neill's men us is 11-5 at McBookie and BetVictor.
The Scots firm, who reckon £5million will be wagered on the match, are giving customers a risk-free £5 bet on the qualifier.
World Cup Final ref Nicola Rizzoli has been appointed to take charge which suggests UEFA fear a powderkeg – and they could be right. It will be meaty to say the least with tackles flying in and a red card pays 3-1 at McBookie and BetVictor.
There were six bookings at Hampden and the stakes are even higher this time. McGeady was one of those cautioned and he'll be as fired up as anyone against the country of his birth so consider him at 4-1 with McBookie to be carded. Over 4.5 bookings pays 4-6 at bet365.
Ireland have struggled recently for goals and there's likely to be a start for record scorer Robbie Keane who was missing in Glasgow. The La Galaxy star still poses a threat and is 6-1 at Coral to break the deadlock.
Maloney is 12-1 at bet365 to score first again as is Matt Ritchie who netted the goal against Qatar. Steven Fletcher and Steven Naismith are joint 15-2 favourites but Maloney could be the dangerman.
It's difficult seeing it being a high scorer though and I noticed in the Daily Record's piece about O'Neill-Strachan head to heads just one of the 10 meetings had produced a match with over 2.5 goals and that was an FA Cup tie when Coventry beat a weakened Leicester 3-0 in 1999.
Under 2.5 goals looks almost sure and that pays just 8-15 at bet365 and Ladbrokes and a scoreless first half has a chance at 11-8 with bet365.
Recommended bets
Scotland draw no bet
(11-8, 888sport)
HT 0-0
(11-8, bet365)
Over 4.5 bookings
(4-6, bet365)
In December 2020 we sadly 
Scotland to win 1-0
Mulgrew anytime scorer
Scotland 1-0 Mulgrew ANYTIME….also in the section 1st goal, last goal lol.
Mr F,Happy to see you agreeing with my post a while back about tomorrows game being a game for the unders,a draw at HT.. I took Evens ;)
Also FT Draw @ 11/5 when i posted and HT/FT Draw @ 7/2,under 2.5 @ 4/6 i think it was,Like id said when i posted id looked at the stats and form and everything points to the above being the most obvious bets for the game,id love to be predicting a 3/2 thriller for the Irish but just cant see it happening
Also if Scotland give us a stuffing {absolutely no chance} im changing my name by depot to Betty.
Rep of Ireland 1-0 Scotland
11/2 pp
Scotland 1 or 2 nil
ENg scot n wales n maybe norn iron qualify. Republic lose out
Wish Mulgrew was in full flight but he ain’t. My missing something?
Has the team been named?
If not I can’t see him starting but if he’s fresh n fit,doing the business in training he may just have the edge later in the game…starter or sub.
Hope you guys are right. :)
Sorry Shaun but I make no apologies as I’m just not that kind of guy ;)
Think Brown anytime and as Mr F points out Maloney is your man
C’mon Scotland! Bad day ahead from 10am and a result would pick up most of Dumbarton(an Scotland o course)
#RIPScouse :|
Re, from what I’m reading Mulgrew is going to start – maybe even at centre-half but he’d prefer not to.
Id be a bit surprised if Robbie Keane plays tmorrow given his cousin died today,2 dead last couple of days.Pretty sure he’ll be in no fit state to play.
Paul you are living in a fantasy world my good man…2-0 indeed!! :)
Scotland have fight and will win this
Aye put a tenner on Scotland to win, decent odds/risk balance. Scotland running well but could be low scoring as you say.
Fiver on Broomie anytime wi a free fiver if it loses, also looking at Anya MOTM but can’t see any prices. Brown to be booked is another decent bet at Evens
Scotland DNB is the bet for me.
I would be much more confident in a Scotland win were it not for Ireland’s performance against Poland last time out. it took them a late goal to grab an equaliser but they performed very well in that game, their best performance under O Neil yet I would say.
Also, they hav fight. Late goal in Germany, late goal against Poland, 2 late goals away in georgia. This Irish side are actually proving to be very hard to beat.
I always laugh at Scots slaggin the Irish about their penchant for potatoes.
We all like a good potatoe, lets not kid ourselves here.
Fitba putting it in laymans terms Scotland will not win and Mr F knows it too,he may have tried to disguise his thinking in writing ‘Scotland draw no bet’ but we all know the hidden meaning of that is ‘Lump on the draw lads’ as i told him last week in no uncertain terms ;)
As for you mentioning the slaggin off of our potatoes im stating now if any flame haired mad man in a kilt swinging his sporan above his head dares to insult the spuds in Dublin today ill guarantee a swift confiscation of their Irn Bru a night in the cells will be the order of the day.
Sean, I don’t know it – I do believe draw is the likely outcome but if anyone is to nick it then it will be Scotland. Just picked up a Racing Post and they’re main tip is also Scotland draw no bet.
Haha too right but you need good mince to go with it.
I think Keane will start Sean….given the tragic circumstances it might be harder spectating than competing …think his manager will offer him the choice ….
Still think it’s gonna be 1-0 Ireland despute ma bets tho
Eire v Scotland will be like a classic ‘English game’ of 100mph running around and bad tackles resulting in a 0-0 or 1-1 draw.
Republic Of Ireland v Scotland
Goals Less Than 3 – Corners More Than 9 – Yellow Cards More Than 4 (Match Action – 90 Mins) Odds: 4/1
this is on BetVictor match action section
Good Luck
Sean ireland. Im irish but hate this team. Theyr so negative. Lets draw evwry game n we might qualify. Maybe theyl get 1-1 but scotland dc is free cash.
Doing scotland dc n scotland -1 in case of 2-0
Republic of Ireland : Given, Coleman, Brady, Wilson, O’Shea, McCarthy, Whelan, Hendrick, Hoolahan, Walters, Murphy
Scotland : Marshall, Hutton, Forsyth, Martin, Mulgrew, Maloney, Morrison, Brown, S.Fletcher, Naismith, Ritchie. Subs: Gordon, Whittaker, Anya, D.Fletcher, Adam, Greer, Robertson, Forrest, Griffiths, Samson, Berra, McArthur
Think the line ups favour the Irish. Mulgrew is not a centre half.
Murphy to score anytime land first goal looks the bets for me.
Can’t see Ireland losing this to be honest.
Jimmybeee, just back. The line-up changes nothing for me although I thought Long would play ahead of Murphy. I said earlier Mulgrew would probably start at centre-half.
Just wondering if anyone knows this. Paddy Power paid out on my bet of Maloney anytime at 4/1 but it has been given as an O’Shea own goal (I think). Can they take the money back out my account now?
Ryan, it was given to Maloney then changed to own goal which is what it should be. Paddy Power may let it stand but they have every right to recoup the money if that’s what they decide to do.
Thanks Mr F, they didn’t pay out til after the game but they still haven’t taken anything back
Rya, you might be lucky. As I said earlier McBookie paying out on Maloney as a goodwill gesture.