Republic of Ireland vs Georgia Prediction, Betting Tips and Preview
Republic of Ireland play host to Georgia in a World Cup qualifier this Thursday. Read the match predictions to find out why Ireland are the betting tip to get their first Group D win of the campaign.
Republic of Ireland vs Georgia Preview
Republic of Ireland are in third place after battling back to draw 2-2 away to Serbia in the opening match. Georgia are fifth and only off the bottom on goal difference after losing 1-2 at home to Austria.
This is the first match at the Aviva Stadium since the retirement of Robbie Keane and it’s likely to be Shane Long to spearhead the attack. He’ll be flanked on either side by James McCLean and Jonathan Walters. Everton’s James McCarthy has been out with a groin problem but could feature in midfield but club teammate Darron Gibson missed the call up. At the back, Martin O’Neill is able to retain the same selection but has a decision to make between Randolph and Westwood between the sticks.
Georgia boss Kakhaber Tskhadadze is likely to pack his midfield again, in an attempt to absorb pressure and catch Ireland on the break. Qazaishvili is not in the squad, so Vladimer Dvalishvili can be pushed forward into his preferred role at the head of affairs. He’ll be supported by Jambul Jighauri and Jano Ananidze in attacking midfield, with Murtaz Daushvili as the anchor man in front of the defence. Amisulashvili was subbed in the loss to Austria and has not been called up for this match, so changes are expected at the back.
Team Predictions Republic of Ireland vs Georgia
Rep. Ireland 4-3-3 formation: Randoph; Ward, Keogh, O’Shea, Coleman; Brady, Whelan, Hendrick; McClean, Long, Walters
Georgia 4-1-4-1 formation: Loria; Lobjanidze, Kvirkvelia, Kashia, Navalovski; Daushvili; Okriashvili, Ananidze, Jighauri, Kazaishvili; Dvalishvili
Republic of Ireland vs Georgia Betting Tips
- Republic of Ireland have won 3 drawn 4 and lost 3 of their last 10 matches
- Georgia have won 2 drawn 2 and lost 6 of their last 10 matches
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Republic of Ireland have scored an average of 1.4 goals and conceded an average of 1.3 goals per game
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Georgia have scored an average of 1.2 goals and conceded an average of 1.9 goals per game
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 6 of Republic of Ireland’s previous 10 matches
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 7 of Georgia’s previous 10 matches
(Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images)
Republic of Ireland vs Georgia Prediction
Republic of Ireland were hit and miss at Euro 2016, drawing 1-1 with Sweden and capitulating to lose 3-0 to Belgium, before confounding their critics to beat Italy 1-0 and advance to the knockout phase. The Boys in Green were knocked out after losing 2-1 to hosts France but certainly proved they can mix it up with the bigger teams.
They eased to a 4-0 friendly win over Oman but gave themselves work to do last time out. Jeff Hendrick’s early opener was cancelled out and Dusan Tadic gave Serbia the lead but Newcastle’s Daryl Murphy snatched a point when he was unmarked at a corner and headed home.
Georgia hadn’t won in 6 matches when they managed to beat the odds and defeat Spain 0-1 away in a friendly match. However, the euphoria from that unexpected success was short lived as they went down 1-2 to a hard-working Austria side and never really looked like getting anything from the game despite clawing a late goal back.
These sides met in Euro 2016 qualifying with Ireland winning 1-0 at home and 1-2 in Tbilisi. The Green Army will be looking to get their first win in Group D and I can’t see them coming up short here. The visitors will be difficult to break down but Ireland should find a way through.
Free Betting Tips
Match Prediction
Ireland to win at 1/2 with bet365
Over/Under Prediction
Under 2.5 goals at 8/15 with bet365
Correct Score Prediction
Ireland to win 1-0 at 4/1 with William Hill
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