Irish eyes definitely weren't smiling on either the Republic of Ireland or Sweden when the draw came out for Euro 2016. These two teams both hated to be matched up with one another, but they certainly had a disdain for sharing a group with both Belgium and Italy as well. Even though both of these sides should be going for broke to get a win knowing that three points is very likely enough to get through to the Round of 16 of this tournament, caution could be thrown to the wind, knowing that neither one wants to effectively be eliminated from this field after just 90 minutes, something that a loss would almost surely do.
Soccer Odds at BookMaker.eu
Ireland +233
Sweden +143
Draw +203
Over/Under 2 (over -110)
ODDS ANALYSIS
We're still a full week away from this match as of the publication of this article, but there's already a good indication that the betting is going to be rather split between these two teams. Sweden is the favored side for sure as it should be, but the margin at +143 isn't nearly convincing. In fact, we'd go so far to say that the draw maybe should be the favored result in this one, as there isn't a heck of a lot separating the two sides. As it is, you can get a draw at a price of +203.
The total is very low at a flat two goals, and clearly, the favorite number of goals in this match is going to be just one.
TOURNAMENT UPDATE
It's tough to say much good about the way either of these teams are playing heading into the Euros. Ireland just lost to Belarus at home in a friendly match in which it was completely outplayed by a team which had no business coming on the road and beating pretty much anyone competing in Euro 2016. Sweden, in spite of its 3-0 win against Wales, only has that one win in its last four matches.
Both teams had to take the hard path to get into Euro 2016 by winning home-and-home playoff series, and had this competition been limited to 16 teams as was the case in the past, neither one would even be here.
LIVE BETTING
We know that Zlatan Ibrahimovic is going to be the most threatening player on the pitch for either side. The question is whether he's going to get much help from the rest of his mates or not.
Ibrahimovic scored six of the nine goals over the course of the last five months of the year in 2015 for Sweden, and he didn't have a lot of help in doing so.
A glance at the team now doesn't show a lot of help in attack. Kim Kallstrom's best playing days are behind him, and Sebastian Larsson didn't have a great year for Sunderland in its great escape from relegation. The rest of this midfield is nothing to write home about, and that could cause problems for live bettors if the Irish end up playing to their abilities and possess the ball for better than 55 percent of the match.
QUICK PICK
The big problem we have with Ireland is the fact that it just doesn't have any finishers. Robbie Keane hasn't played a massive role on this team for years and years, and Shane Long isn't really the type of No. 9 you really want leading your team.
Glenn Whelan, Aiden McGeady and James McCarthy do make up a respectable midfield, but it's not the type of unit which is going to be able to stick around with Ibra when he's at his best.
We suspect that one goal either way will end up making the difference in this one. Play the under, and we wouldn't be opposed to play an exact score bet of 1-0 one way and the other.
Euro 2016 Odds:Sweden 1, Ireland 0
Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker Sportsbook! You can wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here, so start betting with BookMaker today! The fixture between Ireland and Sweden will take place at 12:00 p.m. ET on Monday, June 13, 2016 at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN.
