It has been a fierce road to get to Euro 2016 for Bosnia and Herzegovina and Ireland, as they both placed third in their respective groups. There's only room for one of the two in Euro 2016 though, and they'll start a home and home series against one another on Friday night in Zenica, one of the most lethal places for away teams to travel in all of Europe.
Soccer Odds at BookMaker.eu
Bosnia and Herzegovina +100
Ireland +225
Draw +230
Over/Under 2
ODDS ANALYSIS
It's not surprising that Bosnia and Herzegovina is favored in this match, knowing that it is at home and has been in fine form here. The team is an even money favorite to take the edge in this home and home series and could dip from there, particularly as bettors study Ireland's form in away matches of this caliber.
The total is also understandably low. These two teams are both defensive-minded in nature, and it's only natural to see the first leg of home and home series turn out to be slower-paced as both teams try to figure out the other without wanting to make mistakes.
HOW THEY GOT HERE
Bosnia and Herzegovina has been in fine form of late. The team has won three straight matches, including taking out Andorra, Wales and Cyprus in relatively easy affairs. The team finished third best in Group B, a group which included a giant in Belgium and a Welsh team which has one of the best players in the world on its side in Gareth Bale. The Bosnians finished with a +5 goal differential in the group, though much of that came from beating up the woeful sides which were under them. In tougher groups, Bosnia wouldn't have reached the playoff.
Ireland really didn't have all that tough of a group either. The team had a relatively easy road against Gibraltar and Georgia, the former of which was -54 in the 10 matches in qualifying. That said, the Irish failed in their last match at Poland, one which would've put them safely through to Euro 2016. Still, this is a team with talent. Ireland knocked off Germany 1-0 at home just a month ago, proving that it has the skill to win this playoff.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
Keep in mind that Muhamed Besic, arguably the best midfielder which Bosnia and Herzegovina has to bring to the table, is suspended for the first leg of this playoff and won't be available.
John O'Shea will also be suspended for the Irish, and that could leave them just a tad more vulnerable at the back, particularly if Eden Dzeko and his running mates start to clear some space.
Realistically, this match has a scoreless draw written all over it, a result which will truthfully suit both sides just fine. Robbie Keane isn't the goal scorer he used to be, and Shane Long won't be able to help him out all that much up front. Martin O'Neill knows that his side has the goods to sit back and park the bus, taking its chances on counterattacks when they come.
Ireland hasn't allowed more than two goals in a match since June of last year against Portugal, and it will be fancied to keep that streak going in this very tough fixture. Bosnia wasn't shut out at home along the way in Euro 2016 qualifying, though it did have a troubling loss against Cyprus here in this stadium.
Still, it's all adding up to be a low scoring affair to us. The under is the right play for sure, and a 0-0 bore draw seems to be in the cards to leave all to play for in Dublin on Monday.
Bosnia and Herzegovina 0, Ireland 0
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