Ireland v Gibraltar Prediction, Preview & Odds – Euro 2024 Qualifier
We have an Ireland v Gibraltar prediction and preview plus betting odds for you ahead of Monday’s Euro 2024 Qualifier in Dublin.
Ireland v Gibraltar Match Info
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland.
When? 7.45 pm, Monday June 19th .
What Channel? RTÉ 2.
Ireland v Gibraltar Odds
Ireland are currently huge favourites for this game at odds of 1/100. If you fancy an upset then you can back Gibraltar at odds of 50/1 while the draw is 25/1.
The Form – Ireland vs Gibraltar
Ireland’s Form
Ireland have a record of three wins and two defeats in their last five matches coming into this International window. The victories coming 3-2 against Latvia back in March, 0-1 against Malta back in November and a 3-2 victory against Armenia back in September.
Ireland’s two defeats came in their most recent game against France in a dramatic 0-1 defeat in Dublin where a world-class save from the French ‘keeper Maignan denied Ireland at least a point. Their other defeat came against Norway 1-2 back in a friendly game in November.
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. Kenny has transformed the style of play and brought through youngsters, but the results have yet to fully come but despite positive signs being there.
Gibraltar’s Form
Gibraltar’s form in the lead-up to this international break has been hit and miss. They have three defeats and two wins from September 2022-June 2023. They lost two of their last Nations League games, back in September 5-1 against Bulgaria and 1-2 against Georgia to finish bottom of their group.
In their next two matches during the November friendlies they bagged themselves two rare victories with a 2-0 victory against Liechtenstein and 1-0 victory over Andorra with veteran defender Roy Chipolina (40) grabbing a goal in each game. Former Notts County player Liam Walker got the other.
Their opening two games have been somewhat encouraging as they managed to avoid big defeats against tough opposition in Greece and the Netherlands. The Greeks defeated them 0-3 before The Netherlands also beat them on the same scoreline.
Gibraltar are coming into this international window ranked 201st in the world. Head Coach Julio César Ribas is the country’s longest-serving manager having coached the team for 46 matches since 2018. In that spell his record reads six wins, six draws and 34 defeats.
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Ireland v Gibraltar Lineups
Ireland Predicted XI
Ireland: 3-4-1-2
GK: Bazunu
RCB: Collins, CB: Egan, LCB: O’Shea
RM: Sykes, CM: Hendrick, CM: Smallbone, LM: O’Dowda
AM: Parrott
CF: Obafemi, CF Johnston
Gibraltar Predicted XI
Gibraltar: 5-4-1
GK: Coleing
RB: Sergeant, RCB: Chipolina, CB: Lopes, LCB: Olivero, LB: Britto
RM: Walker, CM: Annesley, CM: Ronan , LM: Casciaro
CF: Coombes
Ireland v Gibraltar Preview
Ireland’s Attack
While Kenny’s go-to formation for most matches is something resembling a 3-5-2, in matches against “lower-quality” opposition he has switched to a more attacking 3-4-3. I’d personally like to see him try out a 4-3-3 but he is unlikely to be that adventurous when points are still needed.
Personnel is very hard to predict, however you can expect some considerable rotation from that match with the likes of Smallbone and Parrott certainties to get some minutes.
Ireland will have the vast majority of possession in this match, which is something they are not used to so don’t be surprised if midfielders who are comfortable on the ball like Sykes, Browne or O’Dowda are played out wide to allow for a more attacking CM combination.
Gibraltar’s Defence
The key to the Gibraltar defensive effort will be their goalkeeper Dayle Coleing who plays his club football with Lincoln Red Imps FC and was their top performer in their March qualifiers (despite conceding three in both matches). Coleing got a 6.7 rating for his performance against The Netherlands and 7.2 against Greece. The ‘keeper averages 6.5 saves per match with only the Lichtenstein keeper having more with 7.5.
Gibraltar will sit back in a 5-4-1 shape with many of their midfielders competent in defence. Dundalk defender Louie Annesley could be in contention for a slot in midfield. Despite sitting back in a low block in an effort to give opposition little space in the attacking third they still give up lots of chances with their XG conceded of 8.4 more than any other nation in their first two Euro 2024 qualifiers.
You can expect that Gibraltar will repeatedly give the ball back to Ireland in this game with them averaging a staggering 57 clearances per match.
Gibraltar’s Attack
Gibraltar average 20.6% possession per match and so chances are very few and far between with them often getting in no shots on goal in their games.
Their primary attacking threat will come from set-pieces with three of their last three goals coming from two from corners and one penalty kick. Veteran CB Roy Chipolina (40) will be a threat from corners and free-kicks if given license to get forward.
Chipolina is the country’s record goal-scorer with five goals along with Liam Walker (formerly of Notts County). Liam is likely to be their main threat in possession with 1.3 Successful dribbles per 90, 26.8 Accurate passes and 1.9 accurate long balls.
Ireland’s Defence
Ireland will likely have at least 60% of the ball and so (all going well)should have very little defending to do on Monday so there could be some rotation in the backline. Kenny will still likely stick to three central defenders in a 3-4-3.
They may look to put more players comfortable in possession like Sykes, Browne or O’Dowda in the wide positions with them more than confident defenders to deal with the Gibraltar threat.
John Egan could be the key player in defence on Monday so I would expect him to start in both games. Egan averages two aerials won per game and his experience will be crucial to ensure there isn’t a Gibraltar scare.
Ireland v Gibraltar Head-to-Head Results
Ireland 2-0 Gibraltar| 2019 Euro 2020 Qualifier
Gibraltar 0-1 Ireland | 2019 Euro 2020 Qualifier
Gibraltar 0-4 Ireland | 2015 Euro 2016 Qualifier
Ireland vs Gibraltar Prediction & Best Bet
Prediction: Ireland 3-0 Gibraltar
Ireland should be winning this one no matter what side they put out! That being said how safe Kenny is in his selection or how much rotation he chooses to do will largely depend on the game against Greece and whether they pull off a win there.
If they can I suspect a few changes to be made for Gibraltar in a more attacking adventurous lineup (hopefully) but time will tell on that one.
Best Bet: Match Result and Total Goals – Ireland Win & Under 4.5 Goals @ 4/5
In another Euro 2024 Qualifier England will host North Macedonia in Old Trafford. We previewed England v North Macedonia in a recent post as Gareth Southgate’s side continue their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign.
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