Bosnia-Herzegovina 19/20 to win first leg of tonight’s Euro 2016 playoffs against Republic of Ireland

Competition: Euro 2016 Qualifiers
Market: Bosnia-Herzegovina to win against Republic of Ireland
Odds: 19/20 @ Ladbrokes

The Republic of Ireland travel to the Bilino Polje to face Bosnia-Herzegovina in the playoffs of the Euro 2016 Qualifiers this week, and are underdogs to come away with a result. It’s the first of two legs for Martin O’Neill’s side, so avoiding defeat on Friday night could put them in pole position to get a result on home soil in the reverse fixture.

It won’t be easy for the visitors, however, with Bosnia coming off the back of fantastic form at the tail end of their qualifying campaign. All five of their wins in Group B came in their final six games to snatch a playoff place against all odds from Israel and Cyprus. Bosnia are coming off the back of three consecutive wins against the likes of Andorra, Wales and Cyprus, keeping two clean sheets in the process. But they are sure to come up against resistance against Ireland.

Group D was unkind to the Republic of Ireland from the start, with Germany and Poland for competition. The Boys in Green also had rivals Scotland to contend with, so they haven’t had it easy by any means. However, they confounded their critics to earn results against Germany, Poland and Scotland to finish in third place. Taking four points off the world champions is undoubtedly their greatest achievement in Group D, and was the difference between them making the playoffs and missing out entirely.

Ireland’s fine form ahead of Friday’s game should make for a great encounter at the Bilino Polje, but results haven’t been quite as convincing on the road. Dropped points in three of their five away games in the qualifiers will give Bosnia confidence of coming out on top, with the hosts having won three in a row on home soil ahead of this meeting.

Bet: Bosnia-Herzegovina to win first leg of tonight’s Euro 2016 playoffs against Republic of Ireland @ 19/20 with Ladbrokes >>