Thursday’s Top Tips: Irish Will Need More Than a Rub of the Green

A week of Euro 2024 qualification ties kicks-off tonight and with most nations embarking on the second half of their campaign there's lots at stake in the next six days.

In Group B the Republic of Ireland face a tough assignment at the Parc des Princes against World Cup runners-up who have yet to concede a goal let alone drop a point in qualifying so far.

It's hard to make any kind of case for Ireland especially with wonderkid Evan Ferguson pulling out through injury.

Elsewhere in the group the Netherlands, who finished fourth in the Nations League finals, host Greece. The Dutch squad features players that ply their trade at top clubs across Europe but it lacks the real star quality of yesteryear at the moment.

As for the Greeks, they’re often a tough nut to crack. It took a Kylian Mbappe penalty for the French to beat them 1-0 in Paris in June and of their eight defeats since the start of 2020 only Sweden have beaten them by more than a single goal margin.

Only eight of their last 23 competitive matches have seen Both Teams Score so it could be a low scoring affair Eindhoven where Under 2.5 goals is 19/20.

The Slovenians performed admirably in their Nations League campaign up against Serbia, Norway and Sweden. The finished third in the table to maintains their tier 2 status whilst forcing the Swedes down a level.

They’ve already drawn with Group H favourites Denmark and harbour outside ambitions of sneaking in to the qualification spots.

Northern Ireland are at a low ebb and have won just seven of 32 matches since 2020, those victories coming against San Marino, Kosovo, Luxembourg, Lithuania (x2), Estonia and Malta – hardly Europe’s leading lights.

The Slovenians were just shy of even money earlier yesterday but have been backed in to 3/4.

A straightforward Treble featuring France, Netherlands and Poland pays near enough even money at Bet365. The Poles haven't been ripping up any trees lately been but they're reasonably reliable against the smaller nations at home. Faroe Islands can be stuffy opponents but with the likes of Lewandowski, Milik and Serie A champions Zieliński to call upon the Poles should get the job done.

Super Singles

• Netherlands v Greece Under 2.5 Goals 19/20 Bet365
• Slovenia to win 3/4 Bet365
• Treble: France, Poland & Netherlands to win 1/1 Bet365 (inc. acca bonus)

Upcoming Match Previews & Tips

• Thu 19:45 Slovenia vs Northern Ireland
• Thu 19:45 Wales vs South Korea
• Thu 19:45 Czech Republic vs Albania
• Thu 19:45 Netherlands vs Greece
• Thu 19:45 France vs Republic of Ireland
• Fri 19:45 Cyprus vs Scotland

NFL Tips / Preview

It's great to have TDTips back with us for another season of NFL.

He's been having a look around the league at his favourite ante-post bets before things get going on Thursday Night as the Super Bowl Champion Chiefs take on one of the hype teams of the off-season in the form of the Detroit Lions.

He has been scouring the internet looking at the many, many, MANY markets available and has picked out his favourite 5 for your perusal.

• NFL Ante-post round-up

Golf Tips

The DP World Tour visits Ireland this week for the Irish Open at The K Club, County Kildare and The Caddy provides his top three picks for success this weekend from the 156-strong field.

• Golf Betting Tips: Irish Open 2023 Best Bets and Preview

Horse Racing Tips

Rizzel has opted for two selections at Salisbury for Thursday's racing, including a previous winning selection making a reappearance.

• Racing tips: Step up 6f will be ideal for the very talented filly Miaharris

As ever, please share your tips in for today in the comments section below.

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