Ireland and Greece both enjoyed dramatic late 2-1 victories away from home on Thursday night against very different opponents. Ireland’s win against a Finland side propping up Group B2 was badly needed, marking Ireland’s first competitive win against a team not named Gibraltar since September 2022.
Greece, meanwhile, enjoyed an emotional 2-1 win at Wembley Stadium against an English side that was expected to stroll through the group and earn promotion back to the top tier of the Nations League. Although many Irish fans probably took pleasure in England’s defeat, the result did Ireland little favours.
With plenty still up for grabs, let’s get Shane O’Brien‘s Greece v Ireland betting tips for Sunday night’s Nations League clash.
Greece v Ireland betting tips
Greece to won
Over 2.5 goals
Ireland goalkeeper to make three or more saves
Evan Ferguson to have three or more shots
WHEN: Sunday, 13th of October, 7:45pm
WHERE: Stadio Georgios Karaiskaki, Piraeus
TV: RTE2, Viaplay
Greece to win
Changes to the structure of the Nations League means that a third-place finish will leave a team in a relegation play-off against a team from the division below and Ireland are now almost certainly going to finish in the bottom two unless they themselves can beat England or Finland can do them a favour against Greece – neither of which appear remotely likely.
In any event, Ireland enjoy a torrid record against Greece and look likely to fall to defeat on Sunday night. Ireland and Greece have played three times since June 2023, with Greece winning on all three occasions.
Ireland have played Greece six times in their history, losing five, drawing one and scoring just a solitary goal. There appears little chance that Ireland can come away from Athens with a result.
Over 2.5 goals
It feels unusual to predict a game involving Ireland will see at least three goals, but both games on Thursday night suggest that there might be goals on Sunday. Ireland have conceded twice in each of those three recent defeats to Greece, losing 2-1 when they last travelled to Athens 18 months ago.
They have conceded in all three of their Nations League games this campaign and have managed just three clean sheets in their last 17 games (one clean sheet in 15 games if Gibraltar are removed from the equation).
Ireland will almost certainly concede on Sunday and will concede at least twice in all likelihood. They did, however, show encouraging signs going forward in the second half against Finland on Thursday and should bring some confidence to Greece.
Ireland goalkeeper to make 3+ saves
Ireland have faced a relatively high number of shots on target in their three Nations League games to date, facing a combined total of 16 efforts on goal. Granted, the majority of those shots came in their opener against England, but Greece have had no trouble creating chances against Ireland in recent meetings.
The Greeks have had 15 shots on target in their last three games against Ireland at an average of five per game, meaning Caoimhin Kelleher could be quite busy on Sunday evening.
Ireland faced 15 shots and six efforts on target when they last travelled to Athens in a game largely dominated by the home side. It wouldn’t be altogether surprising if Sunday followed a similar script, especially considering the form Greece are in.
Evan Ferguson to have 3+ shots
Evan Ferguson has struggled to find form at club level with Brighton but looked relatively sharp against Finland on Thursday night. The 19-year-old can count himself unfortunate to have seen a goal ruled out in the first half and registered four shots on goal during his 70 minutes on the pitch, finding the target on three occasions.
Ferguson provided an assist for Nathan Collins when Ireland travelled to Greece last year and will probably be the focal point of the Irish attack on Sunday night. Ireland will get some chances on Sunday and Ferguson is the most likely player to get on the end of them.
There is a good chance that he will try his luck on several occasions as he attempts to break a long goal duck stretching back to last year.
Greece v Republic of Ireland tips
Greece to won
Over 2.5 goals
Ireland goalkeeper to make three or more saves
Evan Ferguson to have three or more shots
All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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