Scotland vs. Ireland Betting Tips: Two bets for this clash between close neighbours

Scotland come into this game on the back of an extremely impressive win over Ukraine, and they will be looking to take revenge for the 3-0 drubbing they had at the hands of the Republic of Ireland back in June.

Scotland have won 5 of their last 7 home games and they have only been beaten once in that period. Typically, that game came in the World Cup qualifier against the Ukraine.  Ireland have won just 3 of their last 10 away matches. Those wins came against Luxembourg, Andorra and Azerbaijan; so a result away to an in form Scotland is a tall order.

Ireland will be slightly encouraged by just how many players Scotland have out with injury. Nathan Patterson was brought off in their last match, and he joins a long injury list which includes Andy Robertson and John Souttar.

This match will be only the second time these sides have faced each other since 2015, so the Ireland victory earlier on in the group is the only meeting between the sides that could give us any indication of how this match might play out, but I don’t expect Scotland to be as poor this time around.

Scotland have failed to score in just 1 of their last 10 home matches, while Ireland have kept just 1 clean sheet in their last 10 away matches. Despite the away sides’ defensive frailties, they are averaging 1.5 goals per game in their last 10 away matches, and 2.2 goals per game in their last 10 matches overall.

Scotland’s defensive record has improved of late, and they have kept 5 clean sheets in their last 10 matches at Hampden Park. However, Ireland showed in the summer that they have the quality to hurt Scotland, and both sides are more than capable of finding the net a couple of times here.

Scotland’s last 10 internationals are averaging over 10 corners per game. Ireland’s last 10 matches are averaging just over 9 corners per game. When these teams met in June, there was 14 corners in that game, so I’m expecting there to be a good few here.

Over 7 corners in the match and over 1 goal in the match is priced at 2.04 on Bet 365, and it looks a good bet given the data surrounding this one. Scotland will be confident after their big victory over Ukraine, and Ireland will be keen to replicate the comprehensive win they had over the Scots earlier in the group.

As previously mentioned both teams are more than capable of scoring in this one, and the recent numbers in their respective home and away matches suggest that both teams to find the net is worth a go. 

The required corners mark for this bet to win landed comfortably in the sides last meeting, and adding over 9 corners in this one gives us a nice boost here as we seek out a longshot for the match.

Scotland’s home record has been very good of late, and the Tartan army will be fully behind the players after they were treated to a wonderful display midweek. Therefore, I fancy the home side to get the best of the visitors here.