Ireland v Scotland: Back the draw in Dublin as host's wait for a win rumbles on

Ireland v Scotland
Saturday, 17:00
Live on Premier Sports

Mixed bag

Ireland and Scotland meet for the first time since 2015 when Stephen Kenny hosts Steve Clarke in this UEFA Nations League fixture in Dublin on Saturday.

These sides have endured a mixed bag of results of late with Ireland sitting bottom of the four-team group following back to back defeats. Scotland were beaten by Ukraine in a World Cup playoff at Hampden before firing back to make light work of Armenia in this class.

The head to head stats from 11 previous matches involving ROI and Scotland produce an even spread with each team claiming four wins and the three remaining ending in a draw. The most recent clash produced a 1-1 share, but will this renewal follow that trend?

Worst possible start

Ireland endured the worst possible start to this Nations League campaign, losing their opening two matches to quickly sink to the foot of the pool. They are already three points off the pace set by Saturday's opponents who have a game in hand. Defeat against the Tartan Army could end ROI's chances of winning the group almost before it has begun.

Their opening match saw Ireland slip to a surprise 1-0 defeat away to Armenia, a team Scotland beat with ease at Hampden. Eduard Spertsyan scored the only goal of the game when beating Caoimhin Kelleher with a powerful drive on 74 minutes. The beaten team had more than enough chances to draw level but lacked the composure in attack needed to turn possession into goals.

There was worse to come as Ireland fell to a second defeat in quick succession, this time losing 1-0 in Dublin against an under-strength Ukraine. A goal from Viktor Tsigankov less than three minutes after being introduced from the bench proved to be the difference. Ireland got no closer than a Shane Duffy header that rattled the bar.

Road to recovery

Morale remains painfully low amongst Scotland supporters after watching their side fail to reach Qatar 2022. Clarke's men were eliminated at the playoff semi-final stage by a stubborn and well-organised Ukraine that went on to lose to Wales in a playoff final in Cardiff. It was a bitter pill to swallow for those in dark blue as their absence from the world stage rumbles on.

Scotland promised to bounce back, and they did just that in their opening Nations League match on Wednesday at Hampden. They hosted Armenia and knew nothing short of a return to winning ways and three points would do. The Scots got their wish, winning 2-0 and the margin could have been even more comfortable if not for a goal that was disallowed by VAR.

Two defenders were the goal heroes in midweek with Anthony Ralston marking his Scotland debut with a memorable strike on 28 minutes. It was a dream start but nothing short of what the Scots deserved for their work-rate and desire. Scott McKenna doubled their lead on 40 minutes with an unstoppable header which was also his first international goal.

Ireland are slight favourites

Ireland may have lost their first two Nations League games, but we shouldn't over-react and immediately back the Scots. Both Ireland games ended 1-0 with the goals scored in the second half. The hosts will be desperate to bounce back, and you can back Ireland on the Betfair Exchange at 2.9215/8.

Can Scotland make it two wins on the bounce? Another three points should keep them in pole position while building momentum before their final match of the summer against Armenia on Tuesday. A Scotland win is 2.962/1 but we're backing a draw at 3.185/40 which would have been a winning bet when these two last met.

Checking out the stats we see at least one team has failed to score in three of the last four Ireland and Scotland games. ROI failed to score in their two Nations League games while Scotland won to nil against Armenia. No both teams to score is 1.794/5 with under 2.5 goals at 1.564/7 sure to be more popular that over 2.5 goals at 2.6213/8.