Republic of Ireland v Gibraltar: Back Kenny's men to pick up rare win

• Republic reeling after Greece defeat

• Gibraltar dreadful on the road

• Ferguson goal the key to Bet Builder

Republic of Ireland v Gibraltar
Monday 19 June, 19:45
Live on Viaplay Sports Online

There was a dose of Brazilian boredom for our chum Tobias last night, as Sport Recife's 1-0 win over Vila Nova nixed his BTTS bet. While he works through his frustrations at his capoeira class, we'll head to Dublin to start our week.

Kenny under scrutiny as EURO 2024 hopes fade

The Republic of Ireland have made a disastrous start to their EURO 2024 qualifying campaign, and anything less than a convincing win over Gibraltar this evening would heap more pressure on manager Stephen Kenny. He insists he'll be in charge for the rest of the qualification campaign, and will at least see out his contract.

However, the outlook is a little grim. Kenny's side prepared meticulously for last week's visit to Greece, holding a warm-weather training camp in Turkey ahead of the clash. Despite that, the Republic of Ireland's players seemed to wilt in the warmth of Athens, as Greece secured a deserved 2-1 win.

That Greek tragedy means that the Republic now have no points from their first two games against France and Greece, and given that they also face the Netherlands in this group, an uphill battle lies ahead.

Matt Doherty is suspended after his petulant late red card against the Greeks, while James McClean could win his 100th cap for his country. Troy Parrott and Jason Knight are pushing for recalls, while veteran right-back Seamus Coleman is out injured.

Gibraltar are rock-bottom, and that's not surprising

In a tough group, Gibraltar aren't expected to make much of an impact, but they aren't being humiliated at this level. They have faced Greece, the Netherlands and France in these qualifiers, and have lost all three matches 3-0.

They found life tough in last season's Nations League fixtures, taking just one point from six games in a league featuring Georgia, Bulgaria and North Macedonia.

On the road Los Llanis have consistently struggled. They have lost ten of their last 11 away fixtures, conceding 46 goals in the process and scoring just four. They haven't won away from home since a 1-0 success in Liechtenstein back in October 2020.

40-year-old skipper Roy Chipolina is expected to win another cap, while at the other end of the spectrum, 18-year-old Cadiz tyro Nicholas Pozo is generating some buzz.

Ferguson to shine once again

For all the gloom that seems to be enveloping the Boys in Green at present, teenage striker Evan Ferguson is a shard of light. The Brighton forward scored on his first senior start for his country against Latvia, and he has a great chance of adding to his tally this evening.

You can use the Sportsbook's Bet Builder to back the Republic to win by two goals or more, to win at least seven corners and for Ferguson to score at evens.

Kenny's side will dominate possession against a defence-orientated side, so I don't think seven corners is a big ask, and if you look at Gibraltar's last 20 international defeats, 19 of them have been by at least two goals.