IRELAND were long shots to get a result in Bosnia and now will hope a Long shot puts them through.
A 1-1 draw in Zenica last week must have been more than Martin O'Neill had hoped for from his injury-hit squad.
It could have been better if they hadn't conceded a late equaliser to Edin Dzeko – even though no one saw it through the fog.
O'Neill is desperate to have Southampton striker Shane Long ready for the Dublin return and he could make the difference between going to France or staying at home with Scotland.
Long bagged the winner against Germany and with Robbie Keane no longer regarded as a starter he's their best option up front.
Bosnia need to score to have any chance of qualifying and while they are now second favourites at 6-4 with bet365 to go through – the Irish are 8-13 at McBookie – they'll give it a go.
Dzeko remains their biggest scoring threat and is 13-2 at Paddy Power to score first and 5-2 to net at any time. Deadball expert Miralem Pjanic is 4-1 at McBookie to score and Long is 13-5.
If Long doesn't make it the Irish will be looking to Jon Walters to make his mark and he's 14-5 at 888sport to hit the target.
To win on the night the Irish are 29-20 at McBookie with Bosnia 23-10 with the Scots firm. A draw pays 11-5 at McBookie and 1-1 scoreline that forces extra time is 6-1.
Bosnia must score or they're out and are 1-2 at Coral to do so. It will be tight and tense and the first goals could take some time to come. Paddy Power go evens it arrives after 32 minutes.
Recommended Bets
1st Goal Time over 32
(1-1, Paddy Power)
Ireland to qualify
(8-13, McBookie)
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
Come on da Boyz in Green :-)
Btts Ireland win
Squeaky bum time here in HotLanta ;) #COYBIG
Must admit i think i would have prefered a 0-0 in the first game as im worried about the tactics and mentality of the guys. The longer it goes 0-0 the more they may go on the defensive. We are a better side with our backs to the wall as we showed against Germany. On our day we can beat anyone at the aviva………except Scotland!! so i really hope we go out to try win the game. If Shane Long starts i think we’ll do it but its going to be a very tense affair.
C’MON IRELAND !!!!!!
Double carpet, I know what you mean but that away goal could be crucial. 1-1 is better than 0-0.
Hope your right Mr f.
Fingers toes and anything else i can think of will be crossed tonight
I was gonna do a big insurance bet on Bosnia but MrFixit put me off. If Bosnia get a quick 2 goals tonight the tie is over, Ireland are never good when theyre expected to win/or go through.
Hopefully Jonny Walters tears their defense ragged early on and puts us all at ease.
mrfurious, it’s not a game where I see anyone making a confident call.
Don’t let me put you off what you want to do.
I won’t be doing the bet and I won’t blame you for putting me off. But just to let people know, Ireland can’t keep the ball and put themselves under terrible pressure when they need to defend a lead, the other night they could only keep the lead for 3 minutes. 4 years ago, they beat Estonia 4 nil away from home and were even nervous in the 2nd leg drawing 1-1. Have a terrible feeling Bosnia will do it tonight.
mrfurious, I get what you’re saying but Bosnia weren’t any better in the first leg.
As I said earlier the teams that scores first should qualify but it’s tough to call.
Been a while since posting.
My main bet on this game is U5 Asian cards @ 2.0.
Both teams aver 3.18 cards with the last H2H producing only 1 card.
I believe the line should be set at 4, so wouldn’t be surprised to see it drop to 4.5 throughout the day. 365 have only just loaded this market on this morning so if you are going to back it, I’d do it quick
I’m also on a lower stake (3* doubles) on this game
Ireland to score
Under 11 corners (Alternative)
Under 5.5 cards (non Asian)
Ireland have scored 4/5 last games whereas Bosina have conceded 4/5. Ireland at home and need to to score
Corners we low at 5 in the last game and from the last 10 games (5 each) it’s inly gone O11 in 3 games, against weaker opposition.
Cards – already covered.
The 3 doubles offers a bit of security in the bet with stake back if 2 bets come in.
stats from last weeks game point to a win for bosnia for me..dzeko knows its shit or bust and is a big game player…No bet for me though as i will be cheering on the lads,will be brilliant if all the home nations make it….oh hang on :)
Couple of people unsure of ireland tonight – I disagree, with home advantage and the aviva rocking they will be up for this I can see them winning in the 90 – mins.
Bosnia needed a better result in there own backyard.
Paddy Power are offering 7/2 on Dezko to score at any time. The value in it is good enough for me!
I’m going small stakes on this one and so I’m going bigger odds. Boznia/draw @ 14/1
The irish/like the scotts. Love a drama. Hang on to your hats folks.
Hope people read and backed my prediction of ireland to win in 90 mins. COYBIG