Italy could take full advantage of an “out of their depth” Irish side in Monday night’s Group C clash. Misfiring Italy need a win to progress while Ireland need to avoid defeat to earn a single Euro 2012 point.
Despite
being a clash between two under par sides, this should be a belter of a game
for the neutrals with the (alleged) wit, flair and skills of the “need a win”
Italians going up against the reliable grit and grind of a “need a point” Irish
side.
No
pressure – No diamonds
Italy
coach Cesare Prandelli had warned that Thursday’s clash with Croatia would be a
"decisive match" for his side, "I've been saying for a while
that Croatia is the most dangerous squad because it's the most unpredictable
one," said Prandelli.
And
that game ended tied 1-1 when Mario Mandzukic's second-half strike (his third
Euro 2012 goal), levelled the game and earned Croatia a vital draw to bust
Group C wide open. Frustratingly the
Italians looked to be in total control after taking the lead thanks to Andrea
Pirlo's first-half free-kick but paid dearly for not making their dominance
count.
Italy
are now Evens to qualify from Group C and 6/4 to finish third in their group,
but are also a reasonable 6/1 to make the final of Euro 2012.
Bad
and worse for Ireland
Ireland
are out of the tournament and left with just “pride” to play for, but as
Marcellus Wallace said, “Pride only hurts, it never helps.” Apparently fear
doesn’t help either as Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni believes his
players' feelings of "fear" and "tension" speeded their
exit from Euro 2012.
Trapattoni's
team had gone into the tournament on a 14-match unbeaten run, but were still
80/1 long shots. A 3-1 loss to Croatia and their 4-0 defeat by Spain (a
personal worst in competitive matches for 41 years) has technically dropped the
curtain early on their Euro 2012 campaign.
Ireland
are very much like a broken pencil; pointless.
Ireland
are currently Euro 2012 most scored against side having conceded seven goals, they
have also scored the least with just one (tied with the Netherlands). The odds
on Trapattoni’s little green men being awarded the most dubious of honours; the
most scored against are at 2/9. Both worth a punt, as Italy might (finally)
pick up the pace and go to town on the Irish.
It’s
about time for “Why Always Me” Mario
Italy
boss Cesare Prandelli has stated that he will persevere with tepid striker
Mario Balotelli and that he expects a big reaction from him against Republic of
Ireland. Soccer odds list Super Mario at 4/1 to open the scoring against the Irish and 28/1
to clock up a hatrick. You might even want a small punt on this game being the
highest scoring in Group C at 7/2.
History
says DRAW!
Two
of the last three games between these two sides have ended drawn (something
available this time at 9/2). Those games ended 1-1 and 2-2 which are available
at 9/1 and 22/1, stay away from draws though, Italy can’t afford to draw AGAIN!
If you like your bets to be crazy profitable, why not take a hint from the fact
that the last time these sides met Ireland were 2-0 winners! That score is at a
mouth-watering 80/1 this time round.
The
Five Point Group C Club
Should
Italy beat Ireland (at 2/7) and Spain and Croatia draw (at 7/4) we will see a
three way 5 points tie in Group C. Maybe it’s worth a cheeky bet on that
happening just to see the pundits furiously working out the permutations and
checking the rule books.
(NB:
The rule book reads; If two or more teams are equal on points on completion of
the group matches, the following criteria are applied; 1) Higher number of
points obtained in the matches played between the teams in question (if this
happened all sides would be on two points) so it would then go to head to head
goal difference).
Should
Spain V Croatia have a clear winner, the Italians will see quarterfinal
football as Group C runners up (something the bookies have them at 1/2 to do).
I
see those permutations as just a distraction in this match as I think Italy
will add further misery to the Irish.
Prediction:
3-1 to Italy, available at 40/1.