The Republic of Ireland are red-hot favourites to see off Gibraltar in Euro 2024 qualifying on Monday (19:45 KO) although Stephen Kenny's side may have to work hard for the three points.
- Republic of Ireland to win 2-0
- Draw at half-time
- Evan Ferguson to be first goalscorer
Ireland Should Grind Out The Win
The Republic of Ireland have lost their first two qualifiers against France and Greece but a home fixture against Gibraltar gives them a perfect chance to get a win on the board.
The underdogs are no pushovers, however, having lost 3-0 in each of their first three matches of the campaign against Greece, the Netherlands and France.
They showed their battling qualities in the last two games, playing with ten men for almost the whole second half against the Dutch and avoiding a rout by Les Bleus despite conceding in the third minute, so the Republic of Ireland may have to be satisfied with a 2-0 correct score.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND TO WIN 2-0
Hosts May Have To Be Patient
Republic of Ireland matches are generally tight no matter the quality of the opposition and six of their last nine home games have been level at half-time.
That includes clashes with Portugal, Belgium and France as well as lesser lights such as Lithuania and Latvia and, with Gibraltar expected to dig in and defend in numbers, the half-time draw merits a bet.
Gib conceded just three first-half goals in two games against the Netherlands and France, one of them a Kylian Mbappe penalty on the stroke of half-time, so they know they can frustrate some of the world's best attacking teams.
Ferguson Can Add To International Tally
Brighton striker Evan Ferguson looks the obvious candidate to be the first goalscorer on Monday after his breakout season for the Seagulls.
The 18-year-old scored 11 goals in 15 starts in the Premier League, EFL Cup and FA Cup and notched his first senior international goal in the March friendly win over Latvia.
He had two of Ireland's seven attempts at goal in Greece on Friday, also providing the assist for Nathan Collins' goal, and Ferguson's Premier League class could prove too much for the Gibraltar defence.
EVAN FERGUSON TO BE FIRST GOALSCORER
