Israel vs Republic of Ireland Predictions

• The Irish conceded 2.74 xG in their defeat in Kosovo
• Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side faced 10.3 xG in their six World Cup qualifiers last year
• Israel have scored in 11 of their last 14 internationals

Issues at the back could hamper Irish Euro hopes

Both of these sides lost their Nations League opener, and they each put in similarly poor displays in those defeats. The Republic of Ireland fell to a 1-0 defeat in Kosovo, in which they lost the shot count 22-3, and they faced 2.74 Expected Goals.

Defensive issues were a problem for the Irish in their bid to make the World Cup, as they faced a total of 115 shots, including 36 on target, in seven matches.

The Irish faced 10.3 xG across their six qualifiers last year, before blowing a 2-0 lead in the Czech Republic in their playoff game. Ahead of a clash on neutral soil against a team that has scored in 11 of their last 14 internationals, Heimir Hallgrimsson’s backline can’t exactly be trusted.

Israel followed up conceding 20 goals in eight qualifiers with a 3-1 defeat to Austria in their Nations League opener, a match which saw them concede six big chances.

The last Irish player to score a competitive international goal outside of Troy Parrott was Evan Ferguson last October, and Parrott was the only Irish player to have a shot on target in their opener.