Republic of Ireland vs Wales Predictions

• Under 2.5 goals were scored in 100% of Ireland’s last 14 competitive games.
• Under 2.5 goals were scored in seven of Wales’ last eight competitive matches.
• Ireland scored just one goal in their last three fixtures.

Low-key contest anticipated in Dublin

The Republic of Ireland suffered more qualification heartbreak in mid-week in an extension of what has been an underwhelming start to Stephen Kenny’s tenure as manager.

Ireland played well and created several good chances to score in their European Championship semi-final play-off in Slovakia, though the profligacy they displayed in the 0-0 draw and subsequent goalless period of extra time came back to bite them in their eventual penalty shootout loss.

The Boys in Green have now scored just once in three games under Kenny, and Ireland have notched a miserable two goals in total in their last five competitive internationals.

Remarkably, under 2.5 goals have now been registered in 100% of the Republic’s last 14 competitive fixtures after their dour draw in Bratislava, and we don’t expect excitement levels to improve against Wales when Ireland host Ryan Giggs’ Dragons in Dublin at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday.

Wales warmed up for their Nations League B Group 4 tussle with a confidence draining 3-0 friendly reverse against England – a defeat that ended their run of four clean sheets on the spin.

Giggs’ charges are sitting pretty at the summit of Group 4 with two wins from two however, though both games were low on action in successive 1-0 wins over Bulgaria and Finland. In fact, under 2.5 goals hit the net in seven of Wales’ last eight competitive matches overall.

Against a notoriously toothless Irish team on Sunday, the goal count promises to be low again, making the same under 2.5 goals market the best avenue of approach for game, while our correct score prediction points towards a drab 0-0 stalemate.