The Betzone traders make England as short as 2/9 favourites to beat Ireland in the final UEFA Nations League Group B2 game at Wembley on Sunday afternoon, but there’s still value to be found in backing the traits most common to matches involving the Republic.
England vs Ireland predictions
England to win and under 2.5 goals @ 21/10
Jude Bellingham to score @ 9/5
Bet on the latest UEFA Nations League odds at Betzone
Irish stout enough to keep England honest in Group B finale
England’s unexpectedly comprehensive win over Greece in Athens means that more or less any sort of victory over Ireland should be enough to see them clinch top spot in the group, earning a return to League A for the next instalment of the Nations League.
The sort of victory that seems most likely given the Republic are the opponents is one that comes in a match featuring under 2.5 goals, an eventuality that’s attractively priced at 21/10 despite a welter of supporting evidence.
Ireland have failed to score in nine of their last 15 internationals dating back to the beginning of the 2023/24 campaign and bagged just once in three of the remainder.
That gives them Lee Carsley’s men every chance of shutting them out for the sides’ second successive meeting, claiming a fourth clean sheet in six Group B2 games.
England may be fresh from putting three past the Greeks but any concern that they may cut loose to scupper our bet is alleviated by the fact that the Boys in Green haven’t shipped more than for 26 competitive internationals dating back to a 3-2 loss in Serbia in March, 2021.
Tip: England to win & under 2.5 goals @ 21/10
England’s most reliable difference maker value to net in tight tie
Jude Bellingham was unlucky not to add to his tally of six England goals against Greece, hitting the post with a second half header, then seeing his shot strike the same upright before hitting unfortunate home stopper Odysseas Vlachodimos and crossing the line.
The Real Madrid man is 9/5 to net anytime against the Irish, which looks quite the way to make a living given he’s had the most or equal most shots of any England player in each of their last three internationals.