Euro 2016 Qualifying Playoff: Bosnia-Herzegovina vs Republic of Ireland preview

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November 12th, 2015
Back Euro 2016 Qualifying Playoff: Bosnia-Herzegovina vs Republic of Ireland preview

Bosnia-Herzegovina host the Republic of Ireland on Friday night in first leg of their Euro 2016 playoff tie. The home side will be full of confidence as they are on a three-game winning streak, while Ireland were defeated by Poland in their last group match. The two sides have met just once before, the match was a friendly in Dublin in 2012 which Ireland won 1-0 with a goal from Shane Long.

Bosnia won their last three group matches to finish third in Group B behind Belgium and Wales. They did defeat Wales at home in October before a 3-2 success in Cyprus that earned them the ticket to the playoffs. Edin Dzeko is now fully fit again and in good form after having played a few matches for Roma in the Serie A. Bosnia have never reached the final tournament of an European Championship before, but they did play in the 2014 World Cup. They are unbeaten at home in four competitive matches. Bosnia will be without Muhamed Besic, suspended, while Asmir Begovic, Anel Hadzic and Miralem Pjanic will have to be careful as they are just one yellow card away from being banned for the second leg.

Martin O'Neill's men reached the playoffs thanks to a historic victory over Germany in the group stage and they could have reached automatic qualification but were defeated by Poland in the last group match. Ireland have reached the Euro 2012 finals after defeating Estonia in the playoffs, 5-1 on aggregate. However, they are missing a few key players for Friday's match and that could make a big difference. O'Shea and Walters are suspended, while Shay Given and David McGoldrick have been left out of the squad due to injuries. Shane Long's presence is in doubt after an ankle injury.

Probable line-ups:

Bosnia: Begovic - Mujdza, Spahic, Sunjic, Zukanovic - Pjanic, Hadzic, Sahilovic - Visca, Ibisevic, Dzeko

Ireland: Randolph - Coleman, Wilson, Keogh, Brady - Whelan, McCarthy, Hendrick, McClean - Keane, Long

My prediction: Bosnia to win 2-1.

Here are the odds for the match at Bet365:

Bosnia win - 1.95 Draw - 3.40 Ireland win - 4.50

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