Georgia vs Northern Ireland
It really is crunch time for Ireland as they continue their bid to qualify for This match against regular foes Georgia in the Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena in Tbilisi isn’t an obvious stand-out fixture to produce Euro 2020 highlights.
But mark my words, the outcome could well be crucial as to who reaches next summer’s showpiece.
Given that Dublin is one of 12 Euro 2020 host cities, it wouldn’t be quite the same if the Irish and their brilliant support were there.
Talking Points
Whereas Ireland have produced the likes of Roy Keane, Liam Brady, Pat Jennings, Kevin Sheedy and Ray Houghton in days gone by, nowadays it’s the lesser known likes of Matt Doherty, Seamus Coleman, Conor Hourihane, Callum O’Dowda and Jeff Hendrick who take part in the training sessions.
Yet despite the less than stellar names produced in recent times, the followers of the Emerald Isle back their men wholeheartedly and bring a passion and colour to major tournaments that few others can match.
It would be superb for Mick McCarthy — now back in charge for his second spell — to lead Ireland to the tournament.
Ireland currently sit top of group D with just three games to play but face a real battle to secure a top-two position and automatic qualification.
This contest is followed by a trip to Geneva to face Switzerland on Tuesday; two games that will go a long way in deciding whether or not Ireland will be involved in next summer’s finals.
McCarthy inherited a rebuilding job when he took over after Jack Charlton in 1996, giving 20 international debuts before the end of his second year. But the newcomers included rare gems in Damien Duff, Robbie Keane, Ian Harte and, of course, ‘Captain Fantastic’ Roy Keane.
By contrast, the current crop is largely lustre-free.
In fact, it speaks volumes that Aaron Connolly revealed he thought his Irish international call was a wind-up.
Yet after his impressive two-goal Premier League debut last weekend, the Georgians will surely be aware of him and what he did to the Champions League finalists at the Amex Stadium.
The permutations are fairly simple.
If Ireland finish first or second in their current Euro 2020 qualifying group, they will play at Euro 2020. If they don’t finish first or second, the final four places will be decided with a series of play-off matches.
However, places in these play-off matches are awarded on how you did not in qualifying, but in last year’s Nations League.
Yes, Ireland can still prove an obstacle for more talented opponents but they finished 23rd in those rankings with Northern Ireland one place behind them so what Ireland may need is as many as possible of the obvious leading nations, France, Germany, Spain, England et al, to qualify directly so a play-off place will tumble down.
Switzerland remain the favourites to top the group despite David McGoldrick rescuing a point for Ireland in their clash at the Aviva.
But on the same match week, Georgia seemed to do Ireland a huge favour by holding Denmark to a 0-0 draw in Tbilisi.
A few hours after this weekend’s clash, Denmark and Switzerland will face off in Copenhagen. The best result for Ireland would be a Switzerland win but a draw would also be satisfactory.
A win in Tbilisi beforehand will help their cause no end.
History
While Ireland have put in some questionable performances against the Georgians over the years, they have only failed to beat them on one occasions in their 10 meetings.
In March, Hourihane ensured they edged another closely fought contest.
Their previous meetings have all been in the last two decades with Ireland winning home and away in qualifying campaigns for Euro 2004 and the 2010 World Cup, although they failed to make either tournament themselves.
Similarly, in qualifying for Euro 2016 which the Emerald Isle did make, Ireland enjoyed success against the Georgians. Four of those six victories, incidentally, ended 2-1 so it suggests another close match is expected.
During qualification for last year’s World Cup — where Eire reached the play-offs only to lose to Denmark — the sides drew 1-1 in Tiblisi where Valeri Qazaishvilii and Shane Duffy exchanged goals after Coleman had given the hosts a 1-0 success in Dublin.
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Georgia vs Ireland | Asian Handicap Ireland -0.50 @ 2.38 |
| October 12, 09:00 (GMT+8) |
The SBOBET Euro 2020 betting odds also point to another close encounter with Ireland backed 1X2 @ 2.35 and Georgia @ 3.15. The draw is available @ 2.94.
The Republic of Ireland are unbeaten in seven matches (won three, drawn four), their longest run since November 2014 to October 2015.
While my head says this will finish all square, I am going to plump for my heart and for the Irish but I think it will be mighty close.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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| = €20 (Highly confident) |
 = €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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