Slovakia vs Republic of Ireland Predictions

• Under 2.5 goals were scored in 21 of Ireland’s last 23 competitive games.
• Republic of Ireland drew five of their last seven away matches.
• Under 2.5 goals hit the net in 12 of Rep. of Ireland’s last 13 away assignments.

Ireland braced for battle in Bratislava

Stephen Kenny’s tenure as Republic of Ireland manager has had a limp beginning, and having equalized at the death in the new head coach’s first match against Bulgaria last month, the Irish fell to a drab 1- 0 defeat against Finland in Kenny’s first assignment in Dublin shortly after.

With their problems in attack still evident, Ireland have now scored one or fewer goals in 12 of their last 13 competitive internationals, and having failed to register at all in three of the last five of those contests, a toothless Irish team shouldn’t be expected to cut loose in Slovakia.

However, while Ireland’s dearth of cutting edge continues to be a major concern, the Boys in Green remain a notoriously tough team to crack at the other end, and with those factors combined, under 2.5 goals hit the net in a huge 21 of their last 23 competitive fixtures.

We envisage a similar outcome emerging from their play-off clash with Slovakia on Thursday, and that in turn makes the under 2.5 goals market the outstanding choice for Thursdays game, while our correct score prediction points towards a 0-0 draw.

Ireland drew five of their last seven matches on the road, and in a fixture where both teams will be desperate to avoid defeat, we can see this one going all the way to extra time.