International Tips: More friendly misfire for Republic of Ireland

Shay Given will make his international comeback against Oman

Michael Lintorn previews friendlies involving Denmark, Republic of Ireland and Costa Rica that are live on Betfair Live Video...

Denmark v Turkey
Wednesday, 19:00
Live on Betfair Live Video

Match Odds: Denmark 2.285/4, Turkey 3.65n/a, The Draw 3.412/5

Both nations were forced into introspection in 2013 as a World Cup place eluded them. As they so often do, Turkey turned to Fatih Terim for the final few qualifiers and have retained their three-time boss since. Denmark opted for familiarity too, sticking with Morten Olsen, who was hired in 2000.

Olsen has been talking down his side's attacking potential in advance of this friendly due to Nicklas Bendtner's lack of action and Andreas Cornelius' reintegration. However, there are plenty of glorious attacking midfielders involved, like Christian Eriksen for the hosts and Hakan Calhanoglu and Arda Turan for the guests. No clean sheets whatsoever were kept in their three clashes in the last decade.

Recommended Bet: Back both teams to score @ 1.991/1

Republic of Ireland v Oman
Wednesday, 19:45
Live on Betfair Live Video (not in UK and Ireland)

Match Odds: Republic of Ireland 1.454/9, Oman 9.417/2, The Draw 4.77/2

One place separates Republic of Ireland and Oman in the FIFA rankings at 66 and 67. There aren't 65 better national teams than the Boys in Green, but they are hindered by a dire friendly record which has continued under Martin O'Neill. After winning his opener against Latvia 3-0, they have gone six games without a victory.

There is consequently temptation to oppose O'Neill's men at their slim outright price, yet an even more appealing option is to lay them to lead at half time. Oman haven't trailed at the interval in any of their most recent 24 internationals, beating Australia in Sydney on 45 minutes in that sequence.

Recommended Bet: Lay Republic of Ireland to lead at half time @ 2.111/10

Costa Rica v Nicaragua
Wednesday, 22:30
Live on Betfair Live Video

Match Odds: Costa Rica 1.192/11, Nicaragua 17.016/1, The Draw 8.07/1

After as a summer as the planet's most popular underdogs, Costa Rica suddenly switch to the role of strong frontrunners in starting their defence of the Copa Centroamericana.

They do so without miracle-engineering coach Jorge Luis Pinto, who left under not so much a cloud as a skyline's worth of dark clouds in July. Instead, they are under Paulo Wanchope's interim management with just seven men who played at the World Cup, though those include Joel Campbell and Celso Borges.

Los Ticos were 1-0 winners in three of their five matches at the 2013 Copa Centroamericana, and a repeat of that scoreline is handsomely priced.

Recommended Bet: Back Costa Rica to win 1-0 @ 6.05/1