Ireland’s away record doesn’t suggest they will shock Italy

Giovanni Trapattoni’s side often struggle in away qualifiers

Robbie Keane and Stephen Hunt have made a big deal to the press about how Ireland raise their game when written off and relish underdog status but there isn’t enough evidence to suggest the visitors should be backed, despite being available at 9/1.

Ireland have lost on their three previous visits to Italy and alarmingly have won just four of their last fifteen competitive away games. Those victories have all come against countries who hadn’t/haven’t won a home game during that campaign (Faroe Islands, Cyprus, San Marino and Georgia).

Posted: April 1st, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Slovakia: impressive in qualifying, awful in friendlies

England/Slovakia, 5.15pm, Setanta Sports 1, Free Bets, Best Odds

Photo Credit: Lewis Whyld/PA

The only one of England’s four home games under Fabio Capello that they failed to win came against the Czech Republic, who are below Slovakia in the incredibly tight World Cup Qualifying Group 3. However, Slovakia have a curious habit of performing worse when the pressure is off, putting their feet up in friendlies rather than carrying over their form in competitive matches.

» Slovakia have won four of their last five competitive games - an impressive record for a team who have never qualified for an international tournament.

» However, they have won just one of their last eleven friendlies. That win came at home to Liechtenstein, the team ranked 151st in the world.

» Their two friendly matches so far this year - at home to Ukraine and away to Cyprus - have ended in 3-2 defeats. England are 41.0 on Betfair to win by that scoreline tomorrow.

Posted: March 27th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment