Euro 2012 
/ Mike Norman / 26 March 2011 / Leave a Comment 
Robbie Keane will be looking to add to his all-time record goalscoring tally for the Rep of Ireland on Saturday night
"The Irish have scored in eight of their last nine internationals, and with Aiden McGeady and Robbie Keane in their starting line-up they should find the net once more against a Macedonia side who have won just one of their last eight internationals."
Mike Norman takes a brief look at Rep of Ireland's crucial home qualifier against FYR Macedonia and predicts a good night for the Irish and Robbie Keane.
Rep of Ireland will look to get back on the winning trail in Group B by taking all three points against FYR Macedonia when the two sides meet at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday night.
Giovanni Trapatonni's men started their qualifying campaign with back-to-back victories against Armenia and Andorra, but they've since lost at home to group leaders Russia and taken what could prove to be a vital point from their away trip to Slovakia. The Irish are well-positioned in Group B, three points ahead of Macedonia who they now play in consecutive qualifying games.
Having already lost Shay Given, John O'Shea and Seamus Coleman to injury Trapatonni is sweating over the fitness of centre-back Sean St Ledger and experienced winger Damien Duff. If St Ledger doesn't make it then Aston Villa defender Ciaran Clark should line-up alongside his fit-again club teammate Richard Dunne at the heart of the defence. Macedonia coach Mirsad Jonuz has an experienced squad to choose from with star striker Goran Pandev and talented left-back Goran Popov returning to action after missing the last series of qualifiers through injury.
The Republic can be backed at [1.52] in the Match Odds market, and although a home victory is the most likely outcome better value definitely lies elsewhere.
The Irish have scored in eight of their last nine internationals, and with Aiden McGeady and Robbie Keane in their starting line-up they should find the net once more against a Macedonia side who have won just one of their last eight internationals. But with Macedonia failing to score in each of their last four outings (including friendlies) then splitting your stake between the 1-0 - available to back at [6.8] - and 2-0 ([6.6]) options in the Correct Score market is my best bit of advice in this encounter.
Under 2.5 Goals should be landed, but the odds on offer of just [1.74] are a bit on the skinny side for my liking so a chance is instead taken on Keane at [2.2] in the To Score market. The Republic's all-time record goalscorer has netted four times in his last six games at the Aviva Stadium and will be on penalty duty on Saturday night. He will be available to back at around [5.5] once the First Goalscorer market materialises and I wouldn't put anyone off that bet either.
Recommended Bet: Back 1-0 @ [6.8] and 2-0 @ [6.6] in Correct Score market
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