Turkey v Republic of Ireland
Friday 17:30
Match Odds: Turkey 2.06 Republic Of Ireland 4.60 Draw 3.35

Experimental squad for Ireland

It has been a strange winter for Republic of Ireland fans with the hangover from the World Cup playoff defeat to Denmark spilling into a New Year saga surrounding the future of manager Martin O'Neill.
His employers had announced in October that O'Neill had agreed a deal to stay on for a third campaign in charge, but it later emerged that the contract had not been signed and conditions hadn't even been thrashed out.
Therefore, Stoke City were free to speak to the Derryman in the search for a new manager and it looked as though he was ready to go. What was striking was that large sections of Irish fans weren't too fussed because they felt change was required after the sobering 5-1 thrashing at the hands of Denmark that ended hopes of a summer in Russia.
But O'Neill ultimately decided to stay - with the Stoke discussions failing to reach a resolution - and he now says that he is committed towards a rebuilding job.
As the first part of the process, he has brought an experimental group to Antalya for Friday's friendly with Turkey. There are eight uncapped members in the squad with some established players rested. Daryl Murphy and Wes Hoolahan have retired from international football with John O'Shea and Glenn Whelan expected to follow suit.
That said, the senior contingent has been boosted by the return of skipper Seamus Coleman who was sorely missed in the business end of the World Cup campaign.
O'Neill has hinted that he will mix things up for this game. West Ham teenager Declan Riceis set for a first cap and he may well feature in a defensive midfield berth. In-form Preston attacker Sean Maguire is in contention after scoring five goals in four Championship matches since coming back from injury. At left back, there is space for a newcomer with Sheffield United's Enda Stevens and Blackburn's Derrick Williams pushing for inclusion.
The alternative is to switch to a 3-5-2 formation, although a previous experiment with that system in a US game with Mexico last summer culminated in a heavy defeat. What is clear from O'Neill's pre match comments is that he is not exactly too bothered about the result in this game, whereas he will be fielding a stronger team for the summer friendlies with France and USA.

Struggling hosts need a decent result

Turkey have struggled under new coach Mircea Lucescu and they collapsed in the final stages of their World Cup tilt. In November, they suffered a 3-2 defeat at home to Albania that piled the pressure on the veteran coach as they had also lost away to his native Romania in that window.
Lucescu has shuffled the pack a bit too for this gathering with Barcelona's Arda Turan again absent. There is local interest in rising talent Abdulkadir Omur, a teenage striker with Trabzonspor that has hype around him. Everton's Cenk Tosun arrives in good form and the Turks do expect a strong turnout in the 32,000 capacity stadium.
They really do need a good result, with much of the build-up running in tandem with a publicity drive associated with their bid to host Euro 2024.
Ireland's friendly results under O'Neill have been moderate when he has really shuffled the pack. The aforementioned Mexican game ended in a comprehensive defeat. In the summer of 2014, his team were hammered by Portugal in a similar contest. This game was preceded by the training camp with a view to integrating new faces and while that build-up should facilitiate the construction of some kind of gameplan, Turkey's need to triumph is greater and the 2.06 about a home win is a fair shout.

Goals a decent bet with neither defence in good shape

Irish games do not have a reputation for being high scoring affairs. Staking money on the Over 5.5 in the Danish humiliation would have paid for Christmas with a small outlay. Understandably enough, layers are favouring a low scoring affair here but a new Irish rearguard are unlikely to master the art of solidity and Turkey's recent encounters have been dramatic enough affairs too with that 3-2 defeat to Albania highlighting frailties. In that context, the Over 2.5 goals at 2.62 is attractive.

Sean Maguire can bring good club form into international arena

The Preston man is a confident chap and comes into this game in great heart, believing he can take any opportunity that comes his way. His strike rate at club level is extremely impressive and he is likely to get a lengthy audition here. The 16/5 about the Maguire breaking his international duck at some stage in the match is worth a speculative play.
RECOMMENDED BETS
Back Over 2.5 goals at 2.62
Back Sean Maguire to score at 16/5

0 nhận xét Blogger 0 Facebook

Post a Comment

 
Top