Wales v Republic of Ireland Betting: Tight affair as both countries eye World Cup play-offs

Wales and Republic of Ireland meet in a winner-takes-all clash at the Cardiff City Stadium on Monday night.

Whoever comes out on top in the Welsh capital are guaranteed a place in the play-offs, whilst there are a whole host of permutations involving the two sides should the match end in a stalemate.

A home victory is quoted at 13/10 (2.30) with dabblebet, whilst the same online bookmaker prices up an away win at 23/10 (3.30).

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If the sides share the points – a result that can be backed at 11/5 (3.20) – then Wales would finish second in the group (unless leaders Serbia lose at home to Georgia), but would be overtaken by the winner of Ukraine v Croatia in Group I and miss out on a play-off place.

Still without the injured Gareth Bale, the Dragons will need to conjure up a first ever victory over Ireland to ensure their spot in the play-offs and make it four consecutive qualifying wins in a row.

A draw could be enough for the hosts to sneak in, but only if Ukraine hold Croatia to a lower-scoring tie and that is certainly not a result that should be relied upon. Even then it could come down to a judgement based on Fair Play should, for example, Wales and Ireland finish 1-1 while the other match finished 2-2.

Only a win will do for Ireland, who sit one point behind their opponents, as they look to reach the play-offs for the first time since Thierry Henry’s infamous handball in 2009; such a result would mark a third win in their last four competitive away games and a third triumph over Wales in their six meetings.

Both nations have been stubborn at the back this campaign, with Wales conceding just five goals and Ireland a mere six, and given the sides’ lack of firepower upfront, then opposing goals seems like the way to go – especially as the reverse of this fixture finished 0-0 in March.

For that reason, backing 2-3 total goals at even money (2.0) should be profitable as it allows for both a 1-1 draw or a narrow win for either country as they look to keep their World Cup dream alive.

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