Scotland v Rep of Ireland: Both sides to net in hard-to-call encounter

Two Keane: Can Roy and Robbie get a result in Scotland?

With both sets of players and managers knowing each other very well, and both teams being at a similar level, this Euro 2016 Qualifier is hard to call says Daniel McDonnell, but backing both sides to hit the back of the net could be the way to play...

Scotland v Rep of Ireland
Friday, 19:45
Live on Sky Sports

Match Odds
Scotland 2.427/5, Rep of Ireland 3.45n/a, The Draw 3.259/4

The Glasgow meeting of Scotland and the Republic of Ireland is a different proposition to the average European Championship qualifier.

In the international sphere, previews tend to focus on the clash of styles, the element of mystery that exists when teams are taking on opposition who they have to study on DVD to learn about the big personalities.

For this Celtic Park joust, no introduction is needed. Gordon Strachan and Martin O'Neill will have studied the previous games in this group with a view to finding weaknesses, but they will already have their own ideas about players they have either managed themselves or managed against in their club careers.

It makes this a difficult game to call. Aiden McGeady observed on Wednesday that the squads have a similar age profile and are packed with players that are roughly operating at the same level on a week to week basis.

Essentially, this could be like a lower level Premier League outing, a meeting of Hull and Stoke or teams of that calibre. And, as Premier League punters will know, such matches can be unpredictable. On a given day, both sides are perfectly capable of beating the other.

Ireland will look to exploit a Scottish back four that fails to inspire and conceded twice in Poland last month to draw. The centre half pairing of Gordon Greer and Russell Martin (with Grant Hanley as an alternative) will not intimidate the visitors.

Robbie Keane has been starved of space in Ireland's opening two matches but if this game is played at a breakneck pace then a few more gaps should open up and he might finally get a chance to demonstrate his prowess in front of goal. Jon Walters and Shane Long will be considered as options to help on the physical side.

Scotland will seek to exert control in midfield where Ireland have major injury doubts surrounding regular options James McCarthy and Glenn Whelan. Darron Gibson, who is waiting in reserve, is also short of match fitness. The hosts have some tidy players that will look to dictate the game.

A bizarre incident involving Roy Keane at the team hotel has dominated Irish preparations whereas Scotland's confidence is striking. But, it is difficult to encourage punters to trade on the natives at 2.427/5.

Republic of Ireland are a sturdy opponent who have options on the bench to mix things up and are difficult to beat. They finished strongly in Georgia and Germany and have no reason to fear the Scots in an environment where they should draw strength from a sizeable away support. Ireland have more top flight players and, if Seamus Coleman and James McCarthy are available, the best two players on the park. Laying the Scots at 2.447/5 makes appeal. They are too short.

Both Teams to Score

This particular bet came up trumps in the Republic of Ireland's draw in Germany last month, although John O'Shea left it until the very last minute. O'Neill's side actually defended very well in that match but the loss of Marc Wilson weakens their hand here.

And it is clear that this Scottish side is capable of hurting opposition defences. They have a positive approach to the game with an emphasis on attacking and this Irish side, who will surely avoid dropping too deep and packing defences against an opponent they believe they can beat, will therefore need gaps.

On the flip side, the aforementioned Tartan Army rearguard is not remotely intimidating. Taking those factors into consideration, the odds on Both Teams to Score are pretty attractive.

Half Time/Full Time

If you fancy a punt at decent odds, this market offers some scope for a realistic bet at attractive odds. Scotland could well bounce out of the blocks with purpose and, in Poland, they recovered from a concession to put themselves in a strong position.

Ireland have injury issues to deal with but, under O'Neill, they have demonstrated a refreshing ability to change things around within games and find an acceptable solution to dig them out of trouble.

Therefore, the price on a Scotland advantage at the break and honours even at full time makes some appeal. A draw at the interval and an Irish win at 8.07/1 could be supported, but the sharing of the points with a twist is tempting.

Recommended Bets
Lay Scotland @ 2.447/5
Back Yes to Both Teams to Score @ 2.166/5
Back Scotland HT/Draw FT @ 17.016/1