Republic of Ireland v Iceland Betting: Hosts hard to overcome in Dublin

Republic of Ireland face Iceland in an international friendly fixture in Dublin on Tuesday night.

Martin O’Neill’s men were forced to settle for a share of the spoils from their World Cup qualification match against Wales on Friday night – a result that saw the Boys in Green relinquish top spot in Group D, with Serbia moving to the top of the section on goal difference.

On the same evening, Iceland bolstered their chances of reaching Russia with a hard-fought 2-1 win against Kosovo in Group I and Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side will look to make it back-to-back victories by beating the Irish in this match.

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Both of these nations, of course, reached the knockout stages of the European Championships last summer and, indeed, both Ireland and Iceland were eventually eliminated from the competition by the host nation, France.

Ireland boast an outstanding home record and O’Neill’s men, frustrated by the stalemate against Chris Coleman’s charges in the Irish capital in their most recent outing, can be backed at 11/10 (2.10) with Betfair Sportsbook to return to winning ways in Tuesday’s tussle.

Iceland have been beaten in seven of their last 10 friendly fixtures away from home; there is 9/4 (3.25) that Hallgrimsson’s men buck the trend by claiming victory at Aviva Stadium, while 21/10 (3.10) is available that this tie ends in stalemate.

Goal

There have been goals at both ends in just one of Iceland’s last seven matches and another tight tussle looks likely here, for there have been fewer than three goals scored in 11 of Ireland’s last 14 fixtures on home soil; Betfair Sportsbook go 1/2 (1.50) that there are no more than two goals scored when these nations lock horns and 13/20 (1.65) that either side fails to find the net.

Ireland have lost just one of their last 16 home matches – a 2-1 defeat against Belarus in the build-up to Euro 2016 – and O’Neill’s side will be determined to preserve that proud record against an Iceland side with a growing reputation in world football.

Betfair Sportsbook's 11/10 (2.10) quote, therefore, for the Boys in Green to enjoy victory in Tuesday’s friendly fixture in Dublin could offer decent value for punters.