Greece v Ireland Prediction, Preview & Odds – Euro 2024 Qualifier
We have a Greece v Ireland prediction and preview plus betting odds for you ahead of Friday’s UEFA Qualifier clash at Opap Arena, Athens.
Greece v Ireland Match Info
Venue: Opap Arena, Athens, Greece
When? 7.45 pm, Friday, June 16th
What Channel? RTÉ 2
Greece v Ireland Odds
The oddsmakers make Greece 21/20 favourites for this match. Ireland can be gotten at 14/5 while the draw is priced up at 2/1.
The Form – Greece vs Ireland
Greece’s Form
Greece have two wins, two draws and one defeat in their last five matches. Their wins came in a 3-1 victory against Northern Ireland back in September and a 0-3 win over Gibraltar back in March.
The second of their two draws came in their most recent fixture at home against Lithuania where they drew 0-0 and before that they were held to a 2-2 away draw against Malta back in November. Their lone loss from their last five outings came against Hungary back in November when they lost 2-1.
The Greeks won Euro 2004 and are looking to qualify for the competition for the first time since their quarter-final appearance in 2012. Since becoming manager in January 2022 former Premier League manager Gus Poyet has a win rate of 58.33% from his 12 games in charge. That is a promising start for Poyet who for now has the highest win rate of any Greek manager with 7 wins, 2 draws and 3 defeats.
Ireland’s Form
Ireland have three wins and two defeats in their last five matches. Their most recent victory came back in March in a 3-2 win against Latvia. Before that Stephen Kenny’s men beat Malta 0-1 in November. Ireland also beat Armenia 3-2 in September.
The two defeats came in their most recent game against France in a dramatic 0-1 loss in Dublin. On that night it was a superb strike from Benjamin Pavard along with a world-class save from the French ‘keeper Maignan that denied Ireland at least a point. The other defeat came against Norway 1-2 back in November where the visitors scored a late goal to come out on top.
Ireland are looking to boost their qualification hopes for Euro 2024 and ultimately qualify for their first international tournament since Euro 2016. Stephen Kenny has received mixed reviews since taking over as Ireland manager from Mick McCarthy.
Many have credited him for transforming the style of play and bringing through youngsters but the results have yet to fully come. However, positive signs are there.
Kenny is in a precarious, and you could even say, volatile position. Win on Friday and he will have the trust of the fans, lose and his job could come under threat while a draw keeps him in purgatory for now.
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Greece v Ireland Predicted Lineups
Greece Predicted XI
Ireland Predicted XI
Greece v Ireland Preview
Greece’s Attack
Greece are likely to play in some variation of a 4-3-3 with two attacking eights particularly one to watch will be Bakasetas who has six goals and two assists from ten appearances for Greece in the 22/23 season.
Bakasetas is an elite passer attempting 71.92 passes per match which is in the 99th percentile, he completes 83.5% of them which is in the 94th percentile while his 9.14 progressive passes per game is in the 99th percentile. The 29-year-old will also be a threat from set-pieces.
Other players to watch for Greece is their other attacking eight Petros Mantalos who has two goals and four assists from his ten games for Greece in 22/23. Up front Atlanta United striker Georgios Giakoumakis has nineteen goals and one assist in forty-two club games this season so Ireland’s defence will need to pay him extra attention.
Ireland’s Defence
Ireland will likely line out with Southampton shot-stopper Bazunu in goal. Despite coming off the back of a poor season with his club he has always proved reliable between the sticks for Ireland. Kenny will likely line the team up in a 3-5-2 formation with Collins, Egan and O’Shea the CBs with Coleman and Omobamidele injured.
Doherty will likely play as the RWB with McClean as the LWB as he nears closer to his 100-cap goal. Cullen will prove to be the quarterback in midfield with Molumby’s energy crucial in attack and defence.
Ireland’s Attack
Evan Ferguson is coming off the back of a 22/23 season where in twenty-eight games he had eleven goals and four assists for club Brighton. Ferguson made his first start for Ireland on March 22nd against Latvia and scored his first-ever Ireland senior goal on 17 minutes, from a knockback by Michael Obafemi.
It’s hard to believe he is only 18 and many believe he has the potential to emulate and perhaps surpass Robbie Keane. So far the pressure does not seem to be getting to him but it’s important to exercise patience. Ferguson has to start for me, but it’ll be interesting to see who partners him. It’ll be one of either Obafemi, Idah or Parrott.
Greece’s Defence
To followers of Premier League football the Greek defence will have plenty of familiar names. Sheffield United defender George Baldock is likely to start at RB along with Liverpool defender Kostas Tsimikas the latter of which will cause a huge threat going forward but is also a competent defender.
Their star CB is Mavropanos who is a complete defender ranking in the 80th percentile for tackles, 99th for interceptions, 84th for Blocks and 92nd for Aerials Won. Mavropanos can also dribble and pass going forward. He ranks in the 92nd percentile for Progressive Carries and 86th percentile for Progressive Passes.
Chatzidiakos will likely be paired with him who is another excellent ball-playing and carrying CB but might be weaker defensively.
Greece v Ireland Head-to-Head Results
Ireland 0-1 Greece | 2012 International Friendly
Greece 0-0 Ireland | 2002 International Friendly
Ireland 0-1 Greece | 2000 International Friendly
Greece have had the better of this fixture in previous meetings between these two countries.
The Greeks are unbeaten against Ireland with 2 wins and 1 draw although there has never been more than a single goal separating the two sides. If history repeats itself this Friday we will be in for another tight game.
Greece vs Ireland Prediction & Best Bet
Prediction: Greece 1-1 Ireland
Greece will come into this game as favourites largely due to their home advantage but there is very little between both of these teams. No matter what the outcome this should be a low-scoring affair with both teams not being the most productive in front of goal.
This is a must-win for each side if they want to challenge the Netherlands for second spot but I can only see this ending in a draw.
Best Bet: Draw @ 2/1
The Nations League semi-finals are also taking place this week and we previewed both Netherlands v Croatia and Spain v Italy as each country competes for a spot in the final this Sunday.
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