The Republic of Ireland will be looking to end this international break on a high when they take on Luxembourg in a friendly at Stade de Luxembourg on Tuesday.
The Republic of Ireland have been making gentle progress under head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson but the trip to Luxembourg on Tuesday should present the visitors with a chance to rack up a few goals.
While Luxembourg have also made decent strides in recent years, they are still down in 91st place in the world rankings, some 31 spots behind the Irish heading into this contest.
Luxembourg v Republic of Ireland Tips
-
Republic of Ireland to win @ 1/1
-
Evan Ferguson anytime goalscorer @ 9/4
-
Troy Parrott anytime goalscorer @ 2/1
Pays out at 10/1
Irish can get the job done
After losing four of his first six games in charge of Ireland, Hallgrimsson has started to find a bit of rhythm in his squad and Friday’s 1-1 draw against Senegal extended their unbeaten streak to three matches.
Back-to-back victories over Bulgaria provided a positive end to their Nations League campaign and there were plenty of positives to take from the share of the spoils against the Lions of Teranga, who needed a late equaliser to salvage a draw.
Luxembourg failed to win any of their Group C Nations League matches and that has left their place in the third tier of that competition on a knife edge, as they will meet Malta in the relegation/promotion play-offs next year.
A hungry Ireland should have too much quality in this contest and they can enjoy a winning end to their international break.
Leg 1: Republic of Ireland to win @ 1/1
Ferguson to find the target
Hallgrimsson is expected to make changes to his starting XI for this clash and one player set to benefit from that is Evan Ferguson, who came off the bench in Friday’s draw.
The 20-year-old may have endured a frustrating domestic campaign split across parent club Brighton and West Ham, who he joined on loan in February, but he has scored in two of his last three starts for his country and will fancy his chances of netting on Tuesday.
Leg 2: Evan Ferguson anytime goalscorer @ 9/4
Parrott worth a look in goalscorer market
Another player that could be handed a starting opportunity is Troy Parrott, who scored 20 goals from 47 appearances in all competitions in his debut season for AZ Alkmaar.
Two of those strikes came in his last five outings for the Dutch outfit and the 23-year-old will be relishing the chance of facing an Luxembourg defence who have kept just one clean sheet in their last six fixtures.
Leg 3: Troy Parrott anytime goalscorer @ 2/1
