Euro 2012 - Ireland v Croatia

Ireland end a 12 year absence at major finals with their opening game against Croatiatoday, and no matter what the result, Giovanni Trappatoni side should do their country proud.  Lifted from 41^st to 18^th in the World by the much loved “wily Italian” Giovanni Trappatoni over the past four years, Ireland have become a talented, professional, organized side who can put the shackles (or keep out) any side in world football that they wish if they put their minds to it, with Russia being the most famous side they’ve restrained, keeping out Advoccat’s men despite being battered in the corners count (12-1) and shot tally (21-3).

Their obdurate style has seen many a country win a tournament before, although a very tough draw (World and European Champions Spain, the much improved Italy) and their opponents Croatia, has seen them put in at long odds onto go out at the first hurdle. They may well do so, but there’s a good reason to think that they’ll be much harder to beat than many think. Trappatoni hasn’t lost a competitive away game in his time with Ireland, while they’re currently on a 14 match unbeaten run.

What of opponents Croatia? Second in their qualifying section to Greece, Slaven Billic’s side showed flashes of their brilliance four years ago when trashing Turkey to make the finals and should be much respected here, something reflected in the fact that they’re favourites for today’s game, although it’s predictable that they might struggle to break down Ireland if one looks at the recent meetings and trends.

Croatia have beaten Ireland just once in their last 6 meetings (it should be remembered that only two of those were in competitive matches), and drew 0-0 with Ireland the last time when they met, a scoreline that could provide a good amount of interest from a betting perspective. Ireland – with 5 draws in their last 9 internationals – have seen 4 games go blank in that time, while Croatia failed to score past Greece and Turkey on their own patch in the buildup to these championships. As previously said, getting past a well-built team can be tricky for Slaven Billic’s side at times. If they do, there’s a good chance that one goal will do it.

Advice

1 pt no goalscorer (6/1 Boyelsports)

1 pt 1-0 Croatia (11/2 general)