Two sides who have to come through the playoffs to qualify for Euro2016 get Group E underway on Monday afternoon as the Republic of Ireland and Sweden take each other on at the Stade de France in Paris.
With Belgium and Italy lurking in this group they will both know the punishment for losing here which is likely to make sure this one is very competitive but quite nervy at the same time. It is must not lose territory.
Martin O’Neill’s men saw off Bosnia-Herzegovina in the playoff to qualify for this tournament but their form since then has been patchy it has to be said although I suspect much of that was down to O’Neill making sure he know what his best 23 was for this competition.
Goals are a concern for the Irish. They don’t score bucket loads but they are fully committed and defend pretty well and they showed in the qualifying campaign when they knocked off Germany in Dublin that they can raise their game for the big occasion.
Key Man
Shane Long is probably the deputy to Robbie Keane but the Southampton forward might need to be the main man in this tournament if Keane’s injury flares up again. He’s the man who can run in behind and test defences and that is going to be a vital factor if Ireland are to win here.
The Swedes have built up to this tournament nicely after seeing off their neighbours Denmark in the playoff to qualify for this event. Their final warm up for the competition saw them thrash Wales 3-0 in a friendly and the Welsh certainly did that result no harm with their form on Saturday.
Sweden are regulars in this tournament but have only come out of the group once and if they are to do that this year they are going to need their star players to come to the fore in what could be the final tournament for some of their better footballers.
Key Man
Only one man can be the key man for Sweden and that is Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Will he sign for Man Utd or won’t he? Whatever happens there remains to be seen but the PSG forward will most likely be playing his final international tournament and I’m sure he’ll want to leave his own mark on it.
Team News
Robbie Keane and James McCarthy have been big injury concerns in the lead up to this match but Martin O’Neill is confident they will both play. Jon Walters is another who is having his fitness monitored and will be a game day decision.
Sweden have no injury concerns after Albin Ekdal has recovered from a cut to his back. He probably isn’t fit to start but Sweden are fairly settled and will go into this match with plenty of top level experience which could be important.
Head to Head
Sweden have had the better of their previous meetings of which there have been ten. They have won five of them with Ireland winning just three and there have been two draws. Ireland haven’t managed to win any of the last six competitive fixtures between the two which isn’t ideal.
Betting
I’m interested to see how this one will go. Will both sides set up to look to win the match or will they opt to keep it tight and hope of nicking something? We might actually see a little bit of both because I’m not sure Sweden can set up to defend while Ireland generally do that as their normal style.
I look at both sides and they look fairly even. I do give the edge to Sweden though in that they look to have more goals in them. Ireland lost all three matches in Euro2012 and they will be extra eager to avoid a repeat of that here but if they don’t get something from this match they might not get anything at all.
In matches of this kind I look for the side who has the matchwinner in their ranks and with Zlatan in Sweden’s side they very much have the main man on the park. That can lead to a Sweden win I think but as this is the opening game for both sides rather than back Sweden just to win I’ll take them on the Asian lines where we have sufficient draw cover.
Tips
Back Sweden (-0.25AH) to beat Republic of Ireland for a 4/10 stake at 2.03 with Bet365
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