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
newspiridon 8 years ago
I was so confident that Bosnia Herzegovina will manage to qualify at this EURO but they disappointed me. Ireland showed that they are better than Bosnia and they qualified. I still believe that Bosnia could won but it wasn`t like that and now Republic of Ireland joined other teams who plays at this EURO.
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Alexa Alexa 8 years ago
For me,this is the most interesting match in this Euro 2016 qualifying playoff. It was pretty interesting match in Zenica,last night.Conditions were not good and that is the main reason,why it was not even more interesting.This draw will satisfiy Irish team,but they are not so close to the EURO yet.
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sharpe 8 years ago
Two late goals and the points were shared in that one. This is one of the most close matchups in the playoff ties. Both teams will remain their chances for the re match after that result and will not be surprisingly if there is needed an extra time and maybe even a penalties to decide the winner from that one. Hopefully...
Two late goals and the points were shared in that one. This is one of the most close matchups in the playoff ties. Both teams will remain their chances for the re match after that result and will not be surprisingly if there is needed an extra time and maybe even a penalties to decide the winner from that one. Hopefully Ireland will go trough because I think they deserve it.
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nik92 8 years ago
After going to the World Cup in Brazil, I think it is realistic to expect that Bosnia and Herzegovina ensure the placement of the Euro 2016. I do not know a lot of players in Republic of Ireland, and I think that Bosnia has a better team. Very difficult game, but if they score a goal in the first 20 minutes, expects them...
After going to the World Cup in Brazil, I think it is realistic to expect that Bosnia and Herzegovina ensure the placement of the Euro 2016. I do not know a lot of players in Republic of Ireland, and I think that Bosnia has a better team. Very difficult game, but if they score a goal in the first 20 minutes, expects them easy game in front of their fans.
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GREGJO 8 years ago
In my opinion Bosnia and Herzegovina are a clear favorite tonight. They have a very good squad, Dzeko and Pjanic are world-class players and Ibisevic has found his good old form at Hertha BSC. I think Begovic's confidence is very low so this could be a problem for them, but they will score more goals as Ireland and win...
In my opinion Bosnia and Herzegovina are a clear favorite tonight. They have a very good squad, Dzeko and Pjanic are world-class players and Ibisevic has found his good old form at Hertha BSC. I think Begovic's confidence is very low so this could be a problem for them, but they will score more goals as Ireland and win easily this match. My prediction is: 3-1.
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