Greg is BETDAQ’s spokesperson and has plenty to say on the subject of football. Each week he brings his recommended BETDAQ bets across a range of matches but with focus on his area of expertise – European and International football.
You can find out more about Greg by reading his profile – CLICK HERE
He now previews tonight’s match between Ireland and Greece
IRELAND v GREECE
Wednesday Nov. 14th K/o 19.45pm Live on Sky Sports.
Ripley’s ‘Believe It or Not’….
It’s been one month since the last football International break and a few strange but true things have happened since then, Celtic beat Barcelona, Bradley Wiggins got knocked off his bike and everyone’s favourite Essex entertainer, Rylan, is still in the X-factor!…Believe it or Not.
To bet or not to bet….
Barring the odd World Cup qualifier it is a week of International friendly’s and we are going to have some cracking games on show with a few of the big guns set to take on each other with matches involving the powerhouses that are Netherlands v Germany, Italy v France and Panama v Spain, okay, scratch the last one. The first two games mentioned are difficult enough to call when they are playing competitively so I feel it is safer to watch from afar and stake a wager on a friendly for which we can have some confidence about. In order to do this then we will have to step down a level or three.
Different players, same style….
Both Ireland and Greece are not exactly easy on the eye and this will be evident on Wednesday night. With Ireland coach Trappatoni expected to name his team on Wednesday at least we do know that he has sensibly opted to leave Ireland captain Robbie Keane concentrate on his day job in California and with Jon Walters now out injured I would expect the always impressive Shane Long to start up front possibly with Simon Cox. I am of the impression Trap’s hand has been forced since his meeting with FAI head John Delaney after the Germany embarrassment and I will guess that both James McClean and McCarthy will start but after that it is guess work but do expect to see Trap’s favourite players Glen Whelan and John o Shea in the line up along with possible starts for the top class Seamus Coleman and potentially very good Robbie Brady. What ever starting eleven the Irish coach starts with they will no doubt be told to play in the same rather boring style that the Irish fans have become accustomed too and whilst this style can have it’s benefits, it will not instil any fear in their Greek visitors.
Greek Pedigree….
Whilst Ireland have been struggling of late their visitors are no mugs when it comes to football and the pinnacle of their success was reached when they surprised the sporting world and deservedly won the 2004 European Championships in Portugal. They have since qualified for Europe’s elite competition in 2008 and again in 2012 where they were quite successful in reaching the quarter final only to come up against a rampant German side and were gallantly defeated by four goals to two. Greece are in a strong position in their quest to qualify for the 2014 world cup in Brazil already bagging two away victories in that campaign. Their form in International friendly’s has been exceptional having only lost once in their last twelve and scoring at least once in ten of them. It is difficult to predict what starting eleven Greek gaffer Fernando Santos will start with but he doesn’t seem to tinker too much with his team and with reports that Celtic icon “Georgie” Samaras will start alongside fellow striker Dimitrios Salpingidis and the excellent Parma midfielder Sortis Ninis then they will be in a confident mood of getting their team on the score sheet yet again.
Common ground….
Both Ireland and Greece play similarly in that they both like to allow their opposition to have possession of the ball for long periods and then try and score with a long ball or dead ball situation. On Wednesday night one of these teams will have to take the momentum going forward and with home advantage it should really be Ireland however I fear the Trappatoni mindset will stagnate the home side and this will play into the hands of Fernado Santos and his Greek eleven.
Betting on BETDAQ-Greg’s Picks:
BACK 1.5pts GREECE TO WIN @ 3.10
PROFIT TO DATE: 11.27 POINTS
Did you know that as well as checking the realtime prices on BETDAQ below – you can also log into your account and place your bets directly into BETDAQ from BETDAQ TIPS.
