We go again!
After defying the odds to get the victory against Italy, the Republic of Ireland will have to slay another European giant if they’re to continue their continental adventure.
This time, Martin O’Neill’s men will have to boot France out of their own damn competition if they’re to progress and, after Wednesday, our tiny island is left believing that anything is possible.
Let’s work up from the most likely to the most far-fetched bets available via Ladbrokes.com who, to be fair, did advise us to give it a lash and back Ireland to upset the Azzurri.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ben7a5oK3Q&app=desktop
Ireland to score (11/8)
Ireland are such heavy underdogs for this game that they’re actually odds-on not to score against a French defence who, to be fair, only conceded the one goal in their group.
But that goal came via a Romanian penalty, in their tournament opener, and you’d have to think that we’ve got more going forward than Romania, who finished rock bottom of Group A.
We’re bloody owed a penalty after being denied stonewall ones against both Belgium and Italy so who’s to say that the quick feet of Wes Hoolahan or Shane Long can’t tempt Patrice Evra to dive in and give us a shot from 12 yards?
Correct score 1-1 (7-1)
Realistically, France’s attacking force should be able to penetrate Ireland’s defence which has, at times, looked rather vulnerable.
But Les Bleus will leave gaps in behind as they’ll press forward from the outset and neither Laurent Koscielny nor Adil Rami have the pace to match Shane Long if the offside trap is beaten.
But France have proven that they leave it late to score and all three of their group games seemed destined for draws before goals at the death against Romania and Albania earned them a victory.
If Ireland can keep France’s tally to just one, they’re more than capable of getting a low-scoring draw out of the 90 minutes and increasing their chances by taking the tie to extra time or, potentially, penalties.
Jeff Hendrick to score (15-2)
We’re going to steer clear of any first goalscorer nonsense because there’s no telling how early the French are going to turn it on.
But, if there’s any justice in football, Jeff Hendrick will get his goal at this tournament. He rattled the Swedish bar and whizzed a shot a yard away from the top corner of Salvatore Sirigu’s goal against Italy.
An argument could be made that he’s been Ireland’s best player and his shoot-on-sight mentality should surely pay off eventually considering his ability to strike a ball cleanly.
Ireland to come from behind and draw (10-1)
The fact that the French supporters will far outnumber the Irish in the Stade de Lyon could inspire Didier Deschamps’ men to come bursting out of the traps.
Ireland proved against Italy that there’s no quit in them and they’ll battle to the very death but, let’s be realistic, a draw should be what we’re aiming for here as it will take something close to a miracle to win over the 90 minutes.
The odds are slim for Darren Randolph to keep a clean sheet (15/4 to be precise) but we can envisage a scenario whereby Ireland concede but dig deep to find an equaliser which, at 10-1, is a decent bet.
Ireland to win on penalties (14-1)
Right now, Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane would bite your hand off for penalties.
So if it’s any bit tight towards the end of the game, as it was against Italy and Sweden, expect Ireland to change the strategy they had in those ties by shutting up shop against France.
The more Ireland can frustrate the French, the more pressure will mount on the heavy favourites and panicked snapshots will be resorted to.
Get the draw after 90 minutes, keep tight for a further 30 and let Darren Randolph do his thang on penalties.
