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France v Ireland: Betting Preview

France v Ireland: Betting Preview

We preview the Last 16 knockout tie between hosts France and the Republic of Ireland.

Joshua Jones

Joshua Jones

After what was probably the most mundane day of football so far at the Euros, we're hoping for an action packed game between tournament favourites and hosts France and the plucky Republic of Ireland.

It's been 7 years since Thierry Henry's infamous handball robbed the Irish of a place at the 2010 World Cup and they will be looking for revenge here today by knocking the French out of the tournament in their own backyard.

The Green Army showed real determination and grit to drag themselves into the knock out stages of the competition with a last gasp win against Italy on Wednesday night. Robbie Brady's 85th minute winner filled the Stade Pierre-Mauroy with euphoria and expect the Irish players to be full of adrenaline heading into this one, even if their campaign before that had left a lot to be desired.

France themelves have hardly been imperious though, last minute wins against Romania and Albania were followed by a drab 0-0 draw with Switzerland have caused doubt in the minds of Les Blues fans and were it not for the heroics of Dimitri Payet, the French probably wouldn't even have qualified.

One thing that has been common in France and Ireland games alike is drab first halves. All 11 goals scored in games featuring France or Ireland at Euro 2016 so far have come after the half-time break so our first tip is 0-0 half-time Correct Score at 23/20.

As nice as it would be to see Ireland progress, we can't help but fancy the French in their own backyard. We feel like they're going to have to turn it on sooner or later and this could be the game in which their world class players really gel. Back France to win at 1/2.

As a bit of a longer shot, we fancy James McClean to be carded at 2/1. This is the type of game I can imagine him flying into challenges in so could be worth a shout.

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