Euro 2012 Betting: Best adds to Republic of Ireland worries

Odds of 1.412/5 suggest that Republic of Ireland won't get a better chance to end their decade-long wait to qualify for an international tournament for quite some time, but availability issues are threatening to conspire against them.

Captain Robbie Keane is back off the treatment table and fresh from helping fire LA Galaxy into an MLS Cup showdown with Houston Dynamo ahead of Friday's play-off trip to Estonia - where the Boys in Green are 2.3611/8 to triumph - but he doesn't have much company.

Kevin Doyle misses the first leg through suspension following his sending off against Armenia, Shane Long has, as expected, failed to recover from a knee injury in time and, in a cruel twist of fate, Newcastle striker Leon Best will also now miss out.

After club boss Alan Pardew spent weeks campaigning for him to receive a recall, the 25-year-old has been forced to withdraw due to a groin problem and his partner going into labour. A return for the second leg is anticipated, however it is the initial tie in which his presence would have been most valued.

As a result, Simon Cox and Jon Walters will fight for a spot alongside Keane in Tallinn, and though Cox performed admirably against Armenia - when surprisingly selected ahead of West Brom team-mate Long - Trapattoni has hinted that Walters will get the nod.

The veteran Italian tactician believes Cox to be too similar to the all-time Irish record goalscorer and suspects that hard-working Stoke forward Walters will better complement the skipper.

Another option is to move Aiden McGeady in from out wide to play behind Keane and stick Stephen Hunt on the wing, yet a change of system is unlikely given that Trapattoni has stayed loyal to the 4-4-2 for almost the entirety of his tenure.

His side aren't one of the most prolific in the international arena even with everybody available, so it is understandable that under 2.5 goals is favoured on Friday, though the extent to which it is - with odds of 1.584/7 offered - is.