David John expects a low-scoring clash for the first leg of the Republic of Ireland's World Cup play-off clash in Denmark.
Denmark v Republic of Ireland (Saturday, 1945 GMT, Sky Sports Football & Main Event)
Everyone’s clamour for additional sporting drama these days means an extension to the World Cup qualifying process and thus greater levels of heartbreak for whoever falls short of reaching Russia 2018.
Martin O’Neill’s battlers from the Republic of Ireland have certainly built up some momentum after beating Wales in October to snatch second place behind Serbia in Group D, adding weight to assistant coach Roy Keane’s claim that they tend to thrive when the chips are down.
Keane’s abrasive style has not always worked during his managerial career but both he and O’Neill have a ton of experience to draw on from their playing days in high-pressure situations and deserve huge credit for passing that wisdom on to the current crop of internationals.
They will have to call on all of it as they dig deep over the next two games and a best price of 11/8 to progress to next summer’s finals does not look the worst price in the world in what will predictably be a tight encounter.
O’Neill is obviously at the helm but Keane is the catalyst in my eyes and his shining light across the whitewash is West Brom winger James McClean.
His tally so far in qualifying is four goals and he got the winner in Cardiff last time so will more than likely have to set the tone.
That could potentially be a very good thing but he can also reach boiling point quickly so it is not a huge shock to see him quoted at shorter than 2/1 to receive a card of some colour over the opening 90 minutes.
Saturday’s hosts were no match in the long run for Poland in Group E and start this double header at odds-on to take an advantage over to Dublin.
That is probably a bit shorter than you would expect for a fixture of this nature but the difference-maker will most likely be a familiar face in Tottenham superstar Christian Eriksen.
"I feel very comfortable on the pitch, like I do at club level," he said last month.
"I feel I have plenty to give and am generally making the right decisions."
It is hard to disagree when it comes to him pulling on the international jersey with the goals flowing for him game after game and will kick-off here as a 5/2 chance to add to his tally at some stage.
Kasper Schmeichel is the other genuine class act for them between the posts but, let’s be honest, there is very little between themselves and the visitors - who blinks first over the two ties will be the one watching on from home next June.
I fully expect the outcome to be in the balance come Tuesday night with neither possessing an obvious clear upper hand as things stand to safely put things to bed in the first encounter.
Eriksen’s threat is scary when he gets on the ball and giving him too many opportunities to size up any set-pieces on the edge of the box could be costly for the Irish.
I have a feeling the home side will narrowly poke their noses in front ahead of the Aviva Stadium return but I doubt the issue will be insurmountable for O’Neill, Keane and company.
A 1-0 home success is on offer at 9/2 but I would rather play it a little safer and take a view on the match overall by backing under 1.5 total goals.
Prediction: Denmark 1-0 Republic of Ireland
Recommended bets
1pt under 1.5 total goals in Denmark v Republic of Ireland at 7/4
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Posted at 0815 GMT on 10/11/17.
