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The Republic of Ireland will look to take one giant leap into their first international tournament since the 2002 World Cup when they travel to take on Estonia in their crucial Euro 2012 1st leg play-off.
Giovanni Trapattoni’s side came within inches of qualifying outright from Group B, but fell just two points short as Russia secured their spot in Poland and Ukraine next year, but there was at least something to cheer about for the Italian after his side were seeded for the play off draw.
John O’Shea will miss the first leg in Tallinn but is in line for a return in the second leg at the Aviva Stadium in a weeks’ time, while Shane Long and Liam Lawrence have already been ruled out, but Newcastle striker Leon Best could still play and will undergo a late fitness test on a groin injury.
With Long injured and fellow forward Kevin Doyle suspended, Stoke’s Jonathan Walters could step into the side for his first ever start for Ireland having impressed in their play-off spot clinching 2-1 victory over Armenia.
Goals have been hard to come by for Ireland of late, a problem that ultimately cost them their automatic qualification for Euro 2012. Only four times in the last five games have the Irish found the net, but at least they’ll have Robbie Keane back for the game against Estonia after the Republic of Ireland’s record scorer recovered in time after spending a spell on the sidelines having picked up an abductor muscle injury in Ireland’s 2-0 victory over Andorra last month.
The LA Galaxy forward has recovered quickly from the injury and has played a key part in guiding his side to the MLS Cup final, and the former Tottenham man will be looking to fire his country in to the European Championships for the first time since 1988.
Estonia meanwhile finished ahead of Northern Ireland to claim second spot behind Italy in Group C and ahead of Serbia and Slovenia, and Tarmo Rüütli’s side will by no means be a pushover for Trapattoni’s men.
Their recent record reads three wins and two losses in their last five games and while the games against Ireland marks their first ever European Championships play-offs, Estonia will be buoyed by the return of Andrei Sidorenkov and forward Vladimir Voskoboinikov for the game after the pair overcame injury to take their place in the match day squad.
Match Winner
In a match with so much riding on it, it may come as no surprise that the betting market for the match winner is a tight one. Despite almost half the bets backing Estonia for the win, the bookmakers are backing Ireland to take a much needed advantage back to Dublin with them, with Trapattoni’s men best placed with BlueSQ at 2.40 (7/5).
An Estonian victory is temptingly placed at 3.40 (12/5) with BoyleSports, odds certainly worth considering given the strength of the home side, while the draw is at 3.20 (11/5) with SportingBet.
Correct Score
Ireland and Trapattoni would gladly take back with them a 1-0 advantage for the second leg in what is expected to be a tight encounter, and that scoreline is at 7.00 (6/1) with 888Sport.
With Ireland possessing decent strength in depth in attack to go with the defensive solidarity instilled by Trapattoni so impressively on display in the 0-0 draw with Russia in September, it may be tempting to back the Irish to strike on the counter and rack up a few goals.
A 2-0 Irish victory is 11.00 (10/1) with Ladbrokes while 3-1 is 23.00 (22/1) with SkyBet, but perhaps the most tempting and realistic scoreline to back is the 0-0 at 8.00 (7/1), also with Ladbrokes
Recommended Bets
Half Time/Full Time: Draw/Draw, 5.00 (4/1) BetFred
Correct Score, 0-0: 8.00 (7/1) Ladbrokes
