Slovakia vs Ireland Soccer Betting Tips – Euro 2021 playoffs

Who will take the next step towards Euro 2021?

Betting Tips: Under 2.5 goals
Odds: 1.57

Slovakia and Ireland face each other in the semi-finals of the playoffs for qualifying for the upcoming European Championship. The home side wants to reach the continental finals for the second time in a row after 2016.

The restart of the national team last September as part of the Nations League was not very successful. A home bankruptcy against the neighbour from the Czech Republic and a draw in Israel was not a satisfactory result from the point of view of coach Pavel Hapal’s team.

However, this also applies to guests. The Irish lost to Finland and drew against Bulgaria. A real favourite is not to be found in the run-up to the clash between Slovakia and Ireland over the constitution.

The tip for the match in Bratislava is aimed instead at a low-goal game with a maximum of two goals in regular time.

Slovakia – Statistics & current form

The Slovaks have to do without their regular number one Martin Dubravka in the goalkeeping position. The Newcastle goalkeeper is out with a long-term injury. On top of that, Denis Vavro from Lazio, an important defender, cannot play.

Hopes are once again on Hamsik

The star of the team is again Marek Hamsik, who was very successful as a playmaker at Napoli for many years. In the meantime, the captain of the Slovak national team only kicks in China and earns his football mercy at Dalian Pro.

The other two top performers Lobotka and Kucka in midfield are still employed in the Italian Serie A. Otherwise, the exclusion of fans reduces the home advantage in the coming encounter for the Slovaks.

This disadvantage explains to some extent why the most recent game on our own territory at the start of the Nations League against the Czech Republic was clearly and deservedly lost 3-1.

The probable lineup of Slovakia:
Rodak – Skriniar – Valjent – Kosecelnik – Gyömber – Sabo – Lobotka – Kucka – Bero – Hamsik – Mihalik

Last matches from Slovakia:

UEFA Nations League B Grp. 2
09/07 2020 Israel 1 – 1 Slovakia
09/04 2020 Slovakia 1 – 3 Czech Republic
Euro qualification group E
11/19 2019 Slovakia 2 – 0 Azerbaijan
11/16 2019 Croatia 3 – 1 Slovakia
Friendly match
10/13 2019 Slovakia 1 – 1 Paraguay

Ireland – Statistics & current form

The Irish are also struggling with personal concerns before the match in Bratislava. Among other things, the captain Seamus Coleman will not be able to accrue. The Everton player was injured when his Toffees won at home last weekend.

Given their very stable form recently, this represents a major weakening for Ireland. It was not the only bad news for coach Stephen Kenny last weekend: Midfielder Harry Arter also suffered an injury in the championship league match in Nottingham.

Irish hardly ever score goals

Otherwise, Ireland has a structural offensive problem. In the two most recent games in the Nations League, only one goal was achieved in the 1-1 draw in Bulgaria, and luckily, because it came in the last seconds of stoppage time.

In the last two years, the attack series managed more than one goal only once in twelve competitive games and in this flashback had an average of a meager 0.58 goals per game.

That it was enough for the playoffs was due to a very stable defensive line. They conceded just five goals in eight games in the group stage of qualifying for Euro 2020 – the best value in the group!
Will the duel again end in a draw after 90 minutes?

The value tip is underpinned by the statistics that last showed four draws in a row for this pairing.

The probable lineup of Ireland:
Randolph – Doherty – Duffy – Egan – Stevens – Molumby – Brady – Connolly – McGoldrick – Idah – O’Dowda

Last matches from Ireland:

UEFA Nations League B Grp. 4
09/06 2020 Ireland 0 – 1 Finland
09/03 2020 Bulgaria 1 – 1 Ireland
Euro Qualification Grp. D
11/18 2019 Ireland 1 – 1 Denmark
Friendly match
11/14 2019 Ireland 3 – 1 New Zealand
Euro Qualification Grp. D
10/15 2019 Switzerland 2 – 0 Ireland

Slovakia vs Ireland – Direct comparison / H2H balance

The Boys in Green and Eastern Europeans faced each other for the last time in a test match around four years ago. The game ended with a 2: 2 and, as mentioned, was the fourth straight draw. In addition, the hosts have never won this pairing (0-4-1).

For the next edition of Slovakia against Ireland, the odds are again very evenly distributed. With the help of a look at the clear odds comparison of the betting base, the current offers of the bookmakers can be read easily at any time.

Slovakia vs Ireland Soccer Betting Tips

For the Irish coach Stephen Kenny, the match in Slovakia is his premiere in a competitive game. The four-time coach of the year in Ireland will mainly rely on his strong defence, in which various players from the Premier League can be discovered. Overall, the two opponents act on a very similar level in terms of play.

For the trial of strength between Slovakia and Ireland, the prediction implies that a maximum of two goals will be scored. On both sides, comparatively harmless series of attacks can be made out and, due to the lack of alternatives, the guests will rely specifically on the defensive as described.

Key facts – Slovakia vs Ireland tips

Neither team could achieve a win at the restart last month
The last four meetings ended in a draw
Playoff decision is brought about in one game

In addition, the character of the game is likely to result in a poor course. Without a second leg there is no second chance for the teams. Against the background of the importance of the exchange of blows, for example, in the case of a draw at a more advanced stage of the game, they will primarily focus on avoiding a goal that may then be decisive.

At least in the case of the guests, a few goals have also been the rule in the recent past: the selected limit of 2.5 goals has not been exceeded in 13 competitive games!