UEFA Nations League: Wales Dare to Dream, Ireland Struggling For Motivation

Republic of Ireland vs Wales

The inaugural UEFA Nations League, won by reigning European champions Portugal, was a far greater success than many had initially anticipated.

Now that the cynicism has eased to a degree, it’s easy to see why so many fans are looking forward to the second version of the tournament.

However, despite that new-found optimism, I am not really expecting too many UEFA Nations League highlights when these nations meet in the Aviva Stadium in Dublin this weekend.

Talking Points

For a start, the timing.

With the greatest respect to the Nations League, Ireland will kick off this tie less than 72 hours after facing a far more important assignment in Bratislava.

And after losing a match they should have won – therefore ending their hopes of qualifying for the delayed Euro 2020 – they can be forgiven for struggling to get too excited about a competition which carries little of the prestige that the European Championships would have possessed.

Had the Republic progressed from the playoffs, they would have been guaranteed two home matches in Dublin in the new format multi-venue Euro Finals next summer, but now they will have to watch from the sidelines as the competition comes to the Aviva.

That setback will be very much on their minds as Wales arrive and it is hard to see the Emerald Isle being ready to bounce back so soon against opponents, who at the same time as Ireland were toiling in Slovakia, could afford to rest their main players for this contest during a friendly defeat to England.

Ryan Giggs and Wales are aiming for their third straight win in the UEFA Nations League — Ryan Giggs during Wales’ training session for an international friendly clash

In addition, the Aviva Stadium without fans does not have the same passion and Wales manager Ryan Giggs, the most decorated of British footballers, could well use that as an advantage to his team.

The good news for Giggs is that fit-again Juventus midfielder Aaron Ramsey should return to the starting XI, as Wales go in search of a third straight win in the group after narrow triumphs over Finland and Bulgaria last month.

Giggs has also allayed fears over Chris Mepham’s availability after he sustained a knock late on in the English capital. Kieffer Moore, however, is set to have a scan after he was forced off the pitch.

So there you have it, a much greater incentive for Wales.

Ireland, who drew in Bulgaria before losing at home to Finland, may struggle to simply get the motivation for a tournament, which despite its compelling nature, really is low on the priority lists for many in what is going to be a heavily congested 2020/21 campaign.

History

Historically, this has always been a close rivalry.

Ireland have won this fixture on six occasions, one fewer than Wales, with four matches ending all square.

The very first meeting in 1960 saw Wales edge a friendly which produced five goals.

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UEFA Nations League

In fact, all of their meetings were friendlies until a doubleheader in 2007 paired the nations together in Euro 2008 qualifying.

Although neither country made it to the actual tournament, the two meetings produced entertaining fare.

Ireland won 1-0 in Dublin, thanks to a Stephen Ireland goal before the return fixture in Cardiff ended 2-2.

Robbie Keane and Kevin Doyle were the Eire marksmen on that occasion, while the Welsh needed a Jason Koumas double, the second an 89th-minute penalty, to rescue a point.

They have become far more familiar foes in recent years after being drawn in the same qualifying group for the 2018 World Cup when a 0-0 draw in Ireland was followed by a 1-0 success for the Irish in Wales with James McLean as the scorer.

Ireland narrowly missed out on qualification, losing to Denmark in a playoff.

Wales have since completed a double over Ireland in the post Martin O’Neill era.

They ran out 4-1 winners two years ago in the inaugural Nations League when Tom Lawrence, Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey and Connor Roberts scored the goals with Giggs now in charge of the Welsh national side.

They also won the return a month later by a solitary goal from Harry Wilson.

Both, however, finished behind winners Denmark in their group.

Betting Tip

	Republic of Ireland vs Wales	Over 2.25 goals @ 2.21
	October 11, 21:00 (GMT+8)

With home advantage – although the lack of fans dilutes that – Ireland are slight favourites with the SBOTOP UEFA Nations League betting odds.

You can back Stephen Kenny’s men 1X2 @ 2.65 with Wales close by @ 2.74 and the draw on offer @ 2.96 – an example of how close this contest is expected to be.

With Asian Handicap odds, the hosts are available -0.25 @ 2.31 with Wales 0.00 @ 1.99.

A repeat of their last meeting – correct score 0-1 – will provide you with a payday of @ 6.40, while if Ireland edge this by the same scoreline, you’ll gain odds also @ 6.40.

I do expect goals in this encounter but the odds of total goal 2-3 @ 1.84 – which jumps to total goal 4-6 @ 5.00 – suggests not too many.