Euro 2020 Qualifying Group D Leaders Republic of Ireland Still 50-1 Odds to Win Group Ahead of Matchday 9
- Euro 2020 qualifying is reaching crunch time
- Republic of Ireland, Denmark and Switzerland are locked in a three-way battle for Group D
- Ireland at +5000 to win it with Denmark at +130
It’s Matchday 9 on Friday, November 15 in Euro 2020 qualifying and in Group D there is a titanic three-way tussle for the two automatic qualifying spots.
The Republic of Ireland, Denmark and Switzerland are certain to take it to Matchday 10 – the final round – and as a result, there is a real chance of some value popping up somewhere. It’s a question of finding it and we’ll do our best to help.
Group D Euro 2020 Qualifying Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Switzerland | -175 |
| Denmark | +130 |
| Republic of Ireland | +5000 |
Odds taken Nov. 14
The odds don’t reflect the current table, which is currently headed by the Republic of Ireland, but with the Irish not playing on Matchday 9 it will have a very different look as they head into the final round of qualifiers on Matchday 10.
As a result, the Republic of Ireland are a huge +5000 to win the group, and while they are idle on Matchday 9, they host Denmark next week on Matchday 10 on Monday, November 18 in what has all the makings of a thrilling Dublin evening.
With the Danes and Switzerland both having, on paper at least, easy games this week, it looks likely the Republic will head into the Denmark game in third place, hence the ‘odd’ looking odds.
Denmark’s Fate in Their Own Hands
As things stand, as the table above shows, it could hardly be tighter but is skewed by the Irish having only one game left. Denmark, in second, are nailed on to beat Gibraltar and so will leapfrog Ireland, and while Switzerland should do the same as they have a home tie with Georgia, their task is the more challenging one of the two.
The Georgians, with a 2-2-3 record from their seven games so far, have the potential to make life tricky for the Swiss and while their away form has generally been grim, it’s a side that’s packed with good technicians who are capable of springing a surprise. Those who fancy an outsider could do worse than having a slice of +1600 for Georgia to win in St. Gallen. Even the draw at +650 is a worthy bet.
The Danes, if they dispatch Gibraltar as we expect, will then head to Dublin next week knowing a win will see them win the group – a huge incentive. It will, however, be a loud, boisterous night in the Aviva Stadium and not for the faint-hearted. While a draw would still be enough for Denmark to make at least second place, Mick McCarthy’s Irish will be needing the win, so it will be cup-tie, knockout soccer at its finest.
Re-run of World Cup Playoff
The game will also bring back some bad memories for the Irish who lost out to the Danes in similar circumstances in their quest to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. In a two-legged playoff, the Irish did brilliantly to draw 0-0 in Copenhagen in the first-leg but came horribly unstuck in the second in Dublin, losing 5-1 in a Christian Eriksen masterclass.
It’s a result that still rankles in Dublin and they’ll be desperate to ensure there’s no repeat.
There appears to be very little scope here for the Irish to win the group, given that a Denmark win over Gibraltar will take them three points clear of McCarthy’s men with a far superior goal difference. Only an Irish win by something like ten goals would be sufficient to see them return to the top of the group. So while the 50/1 may look tempting, it may as well be 500/1. On this occasion, the 50/1 is best ignored.
With the Danes and Switzerland both having easy games this week, it looks likely the Republic will head into the Denmark game in third place.
Where it gets more interesting is when looking at the +130 on offer for Denmark to win the group compared to Switzerland’s -175. While naturally, it’s almost a given that Switzerland will win their final group game at home to Gibraltar, as mentioned earlier, I have a hunch that Georgia have it in them to spring a surprise in Switzerland on Friday night.
Georgia Hold the Key
If the Georgians are able to hold on for at least a draw, then a Denmark victory in Dublin would see them top the group, and for that reason, I’m tempted by the +130.
Name…Yusuf Poulsen(23)
Nationality…Sweden
Club..Leipzig
Position..CF
Rating..⭐⭐⭐⭐ pic.twitter.com/yPLZfiNGOj— Abdelhamed Elmahmody (@ModyElmahmody) February 12, 2018
The Irish, with everything to play for, will play on the front foot and with the players of the caliber of Eriksen and Yussuf Poulsen, the Danes have the players perfectly equipped to pick them off on the break as they did in the World Cup qualifier.
So, with that in mind, I expect Denmark to make it two wins in the upcoming games and in doing so they give themselves a great chance to top Group D
Pick: Denmark to win the group (+130)
Once just a sports fanatic, fan-turned-writer Gary Gowers has been featured on European television and radio networks to discuss several professional football clubs. His work can be found in an assortment of publications like The Metro, MyFootballWriter.com, and BBC Radio Norfolk.
