Republic of Ireland vs Greece Prediction & Betting Tips 13/10/2023
Stephen Kenny’s Republic of Ireland must find a way to beat Greece at the AVIVA Stadium on Friday evening.
Ireland’s dreams are hanging by a thread. Defeats against the Greeks, the Netherlands and twice against France have all but ended their hope of qualification for Euro 2024.
Kenny’s side controlled possession and found themselves level in the reverse fixture, but they never stemmed the flow of Greece’s attack.
Even against the Netherlands, Ireland were able to control the majority of possession and fire themselves ahead, but wasteful finishing saw them fail to capitalise.
It’s been a common theme at the AVIVA with nothing between the sides in the respective games against France and Netherlands in terms of expected goals.
The return of Evan Ferguson is a welcome sight for The Boys in Green. The 18-year-old already has 12 goal involvements in 27 for Brighton and two in three for his country.
Greece’s victories in the past 18 months have come against Ireland, Northern Ireland, Cyprus, Kosovo and Gibraltar, so Gus Poyet’s side is hardly pulling up trees.
The same could be said for Kenny’s men, but it’s worth noting the hosts have avoided defeat in 25 of their previous 32 home qualifiers for major tournaments.
France’s 2-0 win in Paris marked the first time the Irish have been beaten by two clear goals since a 3-0 defeat against England in November of 2020.
Meanwhile, Greece haven’t won away to a team ranked in the top 25 since September 2016.
This will be a game of the finest margins and while qualification is a long shot, the way the fixtures fall will have Ireland thinking they can still be in with a chance on the final matchday.
Predicted score
- Republic of Ireland 1-0 Greece
Suggested bets
- Republic of Ireland to win
- Republic of Ireland win to nil
- Evan Ferguson to score
