Verdict: Both teams to score – no
Best Odds: 4/7
Bookmaker: Unibet
In what could prove to be another low-scoring encounter this weekend, Wales will welcome Ireland to an empty Cardiff on Sunday evening.
Wales
Starting with the hosts, still without Ryan Giggs in their dugout and with Gareth Bale watching on from the stands earlier in the week, Wales could only play out what was a sluggish 0-0 stalemate against the USA on Thursday night. However, while the Dragons might have managed to win just one of their last four matchups across all competitions, including that thumping 3-0 defeat at Wembley last month, the Reds should be boosted by their most recent Nations League appearances. Picking up what was a late dramatic winner in Bulgaria, Wales have collected 10 points from just their four outings in this year’s tournament and hold a one-point buffer at the top of League B Group 4 and have impressed with their displays at the back. While Sunday’s hosts might have struggled to create a host of chances over the past 12 months, they are yet to concede a Nations League goal so far.
Team News
Wales caretaker manager Robert Page says he has a fully-fit squad at his disposal as Wales and the Republic meet for the sixth time in just over three-and-a-half years.
Republic of Ireland
As for the visitors, coming off the back of their own 3-0 defeat at an empty Wembley earlier in the week and receiving a string of criticism for their performance in London, Ireland have really struggled to find their feet under new boss Stephen Kenny. Yet to pick up a single victory in this year’s Nations League and managing to muster just a pair of points from their four outings in League B Group 4, the Greens have endured a torrid run of form over the past 12 months. Also failing to book their spot at next year’s delayed European Championships, they have failed to record a single victory across all formats since a 3-1 win against New Zealand back in November 2019. A nation who really are seeking a bounce, Kenny will have a real headache over his side’s continued issues in the final third. Once again drawing a blank at Wembley in midweek, Sunday’s guests have failed to score a single goal in over 450 minutes of action.
Team News
Stephen Kenny has called four players into his Republic of Ireland squad ahead of the trip to Cardiff. Jason Knight, Josh Cullen, Darragh Lenihan and Ciaran Clark have been included while Jack Byrne and Ryan Manning have also linked up with the squad.
Key Factors to Consider
- When the two sides faced off in Dublin last month, they played out a 0-0 stalemate.
- Wales have managed to score just a single goal in any of their last four matchups across all formats.
- Likewise, Ireland have failed to score a single goal in any competition in over 450 minutes of action.
- Each of Wales’ last five home fixtures have seen under 2.5 goals by the final whistle.
- Ireland have scored just a single goal on foreign soil since June 2019.
Conclusion
On paper, there is no doubt that chances could come at a real premium this weekend. Managing to muster just a 0-0 draw against the United States in a friendly contest earlier in the week, Wales have recorded just a single goal in any of their last four matchups across all formats and have a real reputation for their low-scoring showdowns. Unfortunately for the neutral, Ireland are also in the midst of their own attacking crisis and have now failed to record a single victory over the past 12 months. Failing to find the net in over 450 minutes of action and with the two nations playing out a 0-0 stalemate last month, we’re backing a similar outcome on Sunday evening.
Verdict: Both teams to score – no
Best Odds: 4/7
Bookmaker: Unibet
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