Seeley’s Selections – Republic Of Ireland v USA Tips

The atmosphere is going to be a little flat in Dublin on Tuesday night when Republic of Ireland try to end 2014 on a high in their last friendly of the year against the USA.

The Irish played their part in a thrilling Euro 2016 qualifying defeat in Scotland on Friday and it’s going to be very hard for Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane to motivate their troops for a meaningless friendly against the Yanks.

Both O’Neill and American coach Juergen Klinsmann are expected to make wholesale changes from the two sides that were beaten last week and for betting on this match, it’s really an impossible task, trying to second guess the two starting line-ups and motivation.

Ireland, not surprisingly, are Boylesports favourites for the match at 13/10 but I couldn’t get involved at that price and I think the players would rather be back with their clubs after a bitter defeat to the Scots than be playing in this one.

The Americans lost to Colombia 2-1 at Craven Cottage with a last gasp winner and at 23/10, that can’t be trusted either. They are coming to the end of their domestic season in the States and no international side played more games last season than they did so fatigue could be setting in.

So how do we make any money in a match that nobody really wants to be playing?
Well the first bet I’m having is on the 90 minute market and I’m all over the draw on offer at 21/10 with Boylesports. The Americans have drawn two games from their four since returning from the World Cup finals and the only motivation I can see for both nations, is that they will both look to avoid defeat in their last international of 2014.

In eight of the USA’s last 10 matches “both teams have scored” and with the pressure on O’Neill to be a little more attack minded here, I’m confident we will see a few goals.

Both teams to score here looks decent value at Boylesports’ 20/21 and if you wanted to play a correct score at a bigger price, then a 2-2 would be my choice at 14/1.

With wholesale changes expected, it’s going to be very hard to pick a first goalscorer, but O’Neill has hinted in his press conferences that Ipswich’s David McGoldrick will lead the Irish attack and the in-form striker would be my idea of a likely first scorer at 13/2.

REMEMBER if your losing first goalscorer selection scores the second goal in this match Boylesports will give your CASH BACK!

Seeley’s Selections:
Draw @ 21/10
Both teams to score @ 20/21
David McGoldrick First Goalscorer @ 13/2