The Republic of Ireland travel to Prague on Thursday night to take on Czechia in a crucial World Cup semi-final playoff tie.
Czechia made the perfect start to their World Cup qualifying campaign, as they won their opening three qualifiers, scoring eight times and conceding just once.
However, Miroslav Koubek’s men went on to win just two of their next five qualifiers (W2-D1-L2), including a 5-1 defeat away at Croatia and a shock 2-1 loss away to the Faroe Islands.
That meant that Czechia finished six points adrift of group winners Croatia, but they finished four points clear of surprise-package the Faroe Islands in second place, giving them a shot at the playoffs.
The Republic of Ireland’s World Cup dreams look to have evaporated after they picked up a solitary point from their opening three qualifiers (W0-D1-L2).
However, Heimir Hallgrimsson’s men recorded back-to-back wins at home to both Armenia and Portugal, before coming from 2-1 down to win 2-3 away at Hungary – on an afternoon two of my three selections landed.
That dramatic late victory in Budapest saw The Boys in Green leapfrog the Magyars into second spot in their World Cup qualifying group and a second chance of reaching their first World Cup finals since 2002.
How the bookies view it: Czechia favourites
Czechia are favourites to reach the playoff finals, with bet365 pricing them at 1/2 To Qualify, whilst the win inside 90 minutes is 1/1.
The Republic of Ireland are 6/4 with the same firm To Qualify, whilst the win inside regulation time is 14/5.
Bet on any team to score at 50/1 odds at Paddy Power
New customer offer. Place a max £1 bet on “Over 0.5 Goals” in the Over/Under Goals market in Czechia v Ireland on Thursday 26th March. Winnings paid in cash at normal odds and are topped up to the enhanced price in Free bet builder Bets. Free bet builder bets are valid 30 days, only deposits with Pay by Bank, cards & ApplePay are eligible. Excludes multiples & in-play bets. T&C's apply. Please gamble responsibly.
Head to head: Home a big advantage
These two nations have met on eight previous occasions, with Ireland unbeaten in each of the last four at home (W2-D2-L0), whilst Czechia have won each of their last three as hosts.
Players to watch: Parrott to pounce again?
Troy Parrott is having yet another terrific season for AZ, with the striker scoring 28 goals and providing 10 assists across his 41 matches in all competitions this campaign.
The ex-Spurs youngster has also bagged a brace at home to Portugal and a hat trick away to Hungary across the Irish previous two World Cup qualifiers, and is an appealing 7/4 at bet365 to Score or Assist in Prague on Thursday.
Backed a player to find the net? Check our Goalscorer Betting guide to see how the markets work and where to find value.
Predicted line-ups:
Czechia will be missing both Adam Hlozek and ex-Rangers winger Vaclav Cerny.
The Republic of Ireland will be without Celtic defender Liam Scales and Festy Ebosele due to suspension.
Czechia: Kovar, Coufal, Vitik, Krejci, Zeleny, Cerv, Soucek, Provod, Sulc, Kusej, Schick
Republic of Ireland: Kelleher, Coleman, O’Brien, Collins, O’Shea, Manning, Cullen, Molumby, Ogbene, Azaz, Parrott
Anything else catch the eye?
Czechia’s opening eight World Cup qualifiers have averaged 3.25 goals per game, with seven (88%) of those qualifiers featuring at least two strikes, whilst five (63%) have gone Over 2.5 Goals.
The Republic of Ireland have only blanked away to Portugal in qualifying, but they conceded five goals in their three away clashes, meaning I’m happy to attack the Over 2.25 Asian Goal Line, which pays 17/20 at bet365.
This would mean if there are exactly two goals scored, we will lose just half of our stake, whilst three or more strikes will reward a full payout.
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