UEFA U21 Qualifiers

[Mark H]

Israel -0.75 v Northern Ireland @ 1.91 Canbet

Israel have a decent quality u21 side with the bulk of the team having played all campaign. Their last match was against the N Irish and they came away with a convincing 3-1 victory at Mourneview Park. So it's a bit hard to understand these odds. The Ulsterman are made up largely of lower league players plying their trade in Scotland and England with no real potential stars. The Israelis meanwhile are regulars in their Premier League and also have the likes of Ben Sahar currently wasting his time in Chelsea reserves. The Israeli's prepared for this match with a comfortable 4-2 win against a Russian club side over the w/e and will be well tuned up for this match. The N Irish squad will only have flown out to Tel Aviv after the league matches this weekend so are unlikely to have much time to acclimatise. The odds are possibly distorted by their position at the top of the group but it should be noted their wins have only come against the poorest teams - Moldova and Luxembourg. Israel meanwhile almost beat Germany at home earlier in the campaign, this is a fine yardstick as the Germans are one of the best u21 sides in Europe. Should be a home win here.

[anothamug]

I posted this elsewhere by mistake so here goes. 9/2 with bet365 for mark noble to score anytime seems good value. The english midfielder is great at set pieces and netted 2 against Ireland last time

[friskyfitz]

England v Ireland

The first game ended 3-0 to england and now our buys have to travel for the return. However, the first match was a much tighter affair than the result gives credit for. Noble's two goals were the crucial difference. Ireland will be up for this though and are completely rank outsiders to win this one. 21.0 at betfair is ridiculous. Skybet are nuts in quoting 8.0 on the Republic scoring 2 or more. Get on...

Ireland u-21 to score 2 or more @ 8.0 Skybet

[typicalleedsfan]

THEO WALCOTT To score anytime @ 2.75 S K Y B E T - Starts up front, other bookies between 1.61 and 2.62. Good service from the likes of Noble, Lennon and Milner, and Theo has more experience at this level than Jerome and Moore who start on the bench.

Theo Walcott 1st Goal @ 7.0 SK Y B ET, again big price - others as low as 4.5

David Wheater to score anytime @ 9.0 Hills - always dangerous and a standout price.

[friskyfitz]

Hadr to say much as I had no pictures but it sounds like 3-0 flattered again. We had chances to take the lead twice but didnt and in the end failed miserably again.

Anyone see the game??

Did the result flatter ??

Or were we (IRELAND U-21) just crap to be fair ?

[Sambuca]

it's really first ireland forward choice is out for today's match?

[American Locksmith]

Originally Posted by friskyfitz

Hadr to say much as I had no pictures but it sounds like 3-0 flattered again. We had chances to take the lead twice but didnt and in the end failed miserably again.

Anyone see the game??

Did the result flatter ??

Or were we (IRELAND U-21) just crap to be fair ?

Well, for the first half 0-0 was probably fair at HTbecause for most of the first half it was pooring down rain and both teams were very tight with not many chances for either team. In the second half the rain stopped and the game opened up both team had many more chances. Ireland's best chance came when Andy Keogh was ruled on side and he was 1 on 1 with the keeper and completly filled his pants. Keogh also had another great chance that was saved well. As for England the first goal was harsh as a ball was played in and O' Halloran deflected the cross and went in to his own net. After that a couple of nice goals by Milner and Walcott. All in all the result was fair Ireland SHOULD have had one through Keogh and had a couple of other decent chances that were saved well/blocked.

[allthethings]

Soccer - Israel U21 - spread -1 (+106)
for the regulation time held on Feb 6 at 11:00am [pending]


Northern Ireland leads the group on the strength of beating up on the two bottom teams (their record against Luxembourg and Moldova is 4-0, 11-1 in goals; against Germany and Israel they're 0-2, 1-6 in goals)...Israel has already beaten NI 3-1 on the road, and drawn against Germany 2-2...they should win this at home.