Republic of Ireland vs Greece tips and predictions: Evan Ferguson can fire Boys in Green to victory

Date, KO time and TV coverage

Euro 2024 Qualifier, Friday, October 13, Kick-off 7.45pm, live on

Predicted score
Republic of Ireland 1-0 Greece

Suggested bets 
Republic of Ireland to win
Republic of Ireland win to nil
Evan Ferguson to score

Republic of Ireland vs Greece team news

Gavin Bazunu will hope to continue the good form that’s seen him concede just five goals in seven in a tough group.]

Stephen Kenny has stuck with a back three throughout qualifying, but the absence of John Egan should see Nathan Collins and Shane Duffy paired with Dara O’Shea.

Evan Ferguson is fit again in a boost to the hosts, but Adam Connolly has withdrawn due to injury and will be replaced by in-form Blackburn attacker Sammie Szmodics.

Callum O’Dowda is unavailable due to injury, but there are recalls for Mikey Johnston and Callum Robinson, while Adam Idah and Chiedozie Ogbene are options up top.

Republic of Ireland vs Greece verdict

Ireland’s dreams are hanging by a thread.

Defeats against the Greeks, the Netherlands and twice against France have all but ended their hope of qualification for Euro 2024.

Kenny’s side controlled possession and found themselves level in the reverse fixture, but they never stemmed the flow of Greece’s attack.

Even against the Netherlands, Ireland were able to control the majority of possession and fire themselves ahead, but wasteful finishing saw them fail to capitalise.

It’s been a common theme at the Aviva Stadium with nothing between the sides in the respective games against France and Netherlands in terms of expected goals.

The return of Evan Ferguson is a welcome sight for The Boys in Green. The 18-year-old already has 12 goal involvements in 27 for Brighton and two in three for his country.

Greece’s victories in the past 18 months have come against Ireland, Northern Ireland, Cyprus, Kosovo and Gibraltar, so Gus Poyet’s side are hardly pulling up trees.

The same could be said for Kenny’s men, but it’s worth noting the hosts have avoided defeat in 25 of their previous 32 home qualifiers for major tournaments.

France’s 2-0 win in Paris marked the first time the Irish have been beaten by two clear goals since a 3-0 defeat against England in November of 2020.

Meanwhile, Greece haven’t won away to a team ranked in the top 25 since September 2016.

This will be a game of the finest margins and while qualification is a long shot, the way the fixtures fall will have Ireland thinking they can still be in with a chance on the final matchday.

Predicted score

Republic of Ireland 1-0 Greece

Suggested bets 

Republic of Ireland to win
Republic of Ireland win to nil
Evan Ferguson to score