Euro 2016 preview and odds: France vs Republic of Ireland

Published on: 26/06/2016

Euro 2016 preview and odds: France vs Republic of Ireland

Stade de Lyon, Lyon - 15:00pm 26 June 2016

Round of 16

After topping Group A, host nation France must now test themselves against a Republic of Ireland side who made it to the last 16 as one of the best third placed teams.

Ireland out to stun hosts

Following their defeat to Belgium, Ireland were left with just one point on the board and a tough game against Italy still to come. With many predicting their imminent exit, the Irish pulled off one of the shocks of the tournament so far when they beat the Italians by a single goal to book their place in the knockout stage.

Martin O`Neill`s heroes must now go up against hosts and new tournament favourites France in Lyon on Sunday. Worryingly, the Irish have scored just one goal against France in the last 35 years and have not won any of their last five meetings between the two sides.

The most recent contest between the two came in a 2010 World Cup play-off match when France ran out winners over two legs. Of their 12 previous meetings in all competitions, France won six, Ireland won three and three were drawn.

Form (all competitions):

France : DWWWW

Republic of Ireland: WLDLD

Betting predictions

Ireland have scored just one goal against France in the last 35 years, and neither side has scored more than once in the last five meetings. In addition, the last five games between the two have all produced fewer than 2.5 goals

You can back Under 2.5 Goals at 19/40 with Bet365.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 26/06/2016

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (26/06/2016 10:30:18) but are subject to change.