Republic of Ireland to end nine-year wait
Though they haven't qualified for an international tournament since World Cup 2002, Republic of Ireland are almost always in the mix. It's therefore somewhat surprising that their only competitive Dublin victories over the last three-and-a-half years have come against Andorra, Georgia and Cyprus.
Even looking back over a wider period - the last nine years - the only nations to add to that list are Slovakia (before they had qualified for a tournament), Wales, San Marino, Faroe Islands, Albania and Iran. Since the 1-0 win over Holland in September 2001 that helped them close in on a spot at that aforementioned World Cup, the Emerald Isle haven't managed a stand-up-and-take-notice triumph.
It's not exactly a trend that will have you rushing onto your Betfair accounts to back them at [2.68] to outclass the Euro 2008 semi-finalists, however under Giovanni Trapattoni, the Boys in Green look a lot closer to earning that elusive standout home success than they have in a while.
They were agonisingly close to beating Italy at Croke Park last October, were unfortunate 1-0 losers in a friendly against rejuvenated Argentina - who recently thumped world champions Spain 4-1 - in August and of course achieved a 90-minute World Cup play-off win in France last year.
Trapattoni's side also appear to be facing Russia at the right time. They're no longer the threat they were in Austria and Switzerland three summers ago and the coach that inspired that success Guus Hiddink is no longer in charge, with compatriot Dick Advocaat replacing him in July.
The former Zenit boss hasn't made a great start, with a 1-0 loss to Slovakia in Moscow last month leaving them three points behind their two biggest rivals. They now need to take the game to the hosts and that could play into Trapattoni's hands.
Republic of Ireland are unchanged from the team that saw off Armenia and Andorra last month so we're backing them to claim that long-awaited significant home scalp at [2.68] and in doing so ensure that they head to Slovakia on Tuesday boasting a 100 per cent record.
Republic of Ireland v Russia
Kick-off: 7.45pm
Live on Sky Sports 2
Disagree and sense disaster for Robbie Keane and co? Russia are [3.05] to win...
Published: 8 Oct 2010
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