EURO 2012 BETTING PICK - ITALY V REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

Euro 2012

2012-06-18 - Italy vs Republic of Ireland

A Sports Betting Pick by Addicted

ITALY v REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
Football : Europe : EURO 2012
Monday, June 18th, 2012, 7:45PM GMT

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PREVIEW

So Ireland are out of the tournament even before the final round of games but they could well make an impact if they avoid defeat today. Italy need a win in this match, having drawn both their other games, against Spain and Croatia, and also require a result in the other game to progress.

Ireland are a proud bunch, so there will likely be a great effort today to get something for the fans they have applauded for their support, even though they got their backsides handed to them in the last game by Spain, losing 4-0. What is truly a danger for Italy is the fact Ireland now have nothing to lose. The pressure is off, and how often have we seen teams perform infinitely better when they are relaxed?

Italy have allowed just a goal per game so far but it has cost them because that is all they have scored too. Holding Spain to just a goal is a good result, and they actually led in that game, as they did against Croatia. I have a feeling though that if they get ahead in this one, Ireland will lose their fight and we could see Italy pounce and start to pull away, knowing they may well need to win by more than 1 in case the result in the other game starts to move the wrong way.

Balotelli looks set to be dropped for this match as he had an injury in training but with Cassano and Di Natale, who has already scored, there is enough firepower here to down the Irish. Pirlo is always a danger from midfield, curling home a sublime free kick in the last game and set to make those killer passes that open the game up.

Italy may have not beaten Ireland in their last few meetings but this is the big stage and the time has come for the Azzurri to step up. Ireland have been dire this tournament, scoring just 1 goal but letting in 7 in just two games. Italy are on a 12 match unbeaten run at the moment, so there really has to be just one winner here.

BETTING VERDICT

It's a 50-50 chance at worst for Italy to win by more than one, so at the prices we are seeing, it is a value bet to take Italy on the AH.

The Pick :