10-10-2007 Euro 2008 Betting - Key Fixtures For Ireland & Scotland

Scottish teams recently enjoyed one of their most successful weeks in European domestic football. Celtic beat Champions League holders AC Milan at Celtic Park, Rangers recorded a dramatic 3-0 away to Lyon, while Aberdeen progressed to the group stages of the UEFA Cup. Such results have led former Italian boss, Marcello Lippi, to comment that Scotland are Europe’s up-and-coming nation. Surely the Tartan Army’s recent win in Paris was the biggest hint that Scottish football is approaching a renaissance.

A Nation Expects But Can the Scots Deliver?

The last major international tournament that Scotland qualified for was the 2000 World Cup in France won by the host nation. It could Les Bleus that loses out should Scotland qualify from Group B, but the problem with Scotland is that they can be tough opponents when given little or no chance – as in the recent game at the Parc des Princes – but often disappoint when expectation is raised. Make no mistake the whole of Scotland no expects on Saturday against the Ukraine.

It is difficult therefore, to know what to expect of Alex McLeish’s heroes at Hampden. Though they currently top the section, they still have Italy to play at home, and Georgia away, so must get something out of this game. However, they are without Paul Hartley, a pivotal figure in recent performances. Oleg Blokhin’s side have only a slim chance of qualification, and he may look to blood youngster building to the 2012 event on home soil. Andriy Shevchenko and Andriy Voronin have however, been used sparingly by their clubs so may appreciate the opportunity to play, particularly as the game requires little travel. PinnacleSports.com price Scotland favourites on their Asian Handicap betting 1.775 (0/scratch & -0.5) with the Ukraine 2.190 (0/scratch & +0.5).

Stan & Ireland at Last Chance Saloon

Republic of Ireland manager, Steve ‘Stan’ Staunton, is running out of chances to prove his worth as the national team’s manager. After a poor qualification campaign, including one point from the two recent crucial fixtures in Slovakia and the Czech Republic, fate is out of Staunton’s hands. Though mathematically Ireland can still make it to the Euro 2008 finals – they must win their remaining fixtures, and hope the Czechs lose all theirs - Saturday’s game at Croke Park against Germany is really about pride, and building for the future. The venue is normally reserved for Gaelic games but is a temporary home for football, while Landsdowne Road is being renovated. It provides a very special atmosphere and Ireland are unbeaten in two fixtures without conceding.

There is also a knock-on effect for World Cup qualification, where seeding relies on the number of wins from this campaign. Though Staunton’s contract runs until 2010, it seems unlikely that he’ll remain in charge unless Ireland start winning beginning with this game against the runaway leaders of Group D. Joachim Low’s side need only a draw in Dublin to guarantee passage to Austria and Switzerland next summer, where they are rated one of the favourites. The only real absentee for the Germans is Miroslav Klose - the Bundesliga’s joint-top goal-scorer – otherwise Low has named a strong squad recalling Werder Bremen trio Torsten Frings, Tim Borowski and Clemens Fritz, along with Stuttgart’s striker, Mario Gomez. PinnacleSports.com make Germany favourites 2.060 (-0.5) with Ireland 1.870 (+0.5).

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