There are no points up for grabs on Tuesday as the Republic of Ireland wait until September to start their World Cup qualification campaign.
For now, Heimir Hallgrimsson is focused on getting his ideas across. Luxembourg are not the whipping boys they once were, as Ireland know better than most. Will Hallgrimsson’s men avoid a banana skin here?
Luxembourg vs Ireland best bets
Luxembourg vs Ireland odds
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Luxembourg vs Ireland predictions
The Republic of Ireland will not begin their World Cup qualification campaign until September, when they will attempt to finish in the top two of a group containing Portugal, Hungary and Belarus.
This is their final friendly until their first qualifier in three months’ time, so Heimir Hallgrimsson will want to see a positive display from his team on Tuesday.
It is not that long since Ireland suffered an embarrassing defeat by their upcoming opponents. In March 2021 Luxembourg ran out 1-0 winners in a World Cup qualifier in Dublin. Stephen Kenny never really recovered from the associated ignominy.
Kenny was eventually dismissed in November 2023. It took the FAI months to land on a permanent replacement, and it is fair to say that no one really anticipated it being Hallgrimsson.
The former Iceland and Jamaica head coach knows the international game, and he has now had almost a year to run the rule over his squad.
Ireland finished a distant third in their Nations League group, some way behind England and Greece. However, in March they beat Bulgaria home and away to avoid relegation to League C. Ireland then played out a 1-1 draw with Senegal on Friday, a creditable result against one of the strongest sides in Africa.
There have been clear signs of improvement from Ireland over the last few months, even though progress was initially slow. But they are up against it in their bid to qualify for World Cup 2026, which is the main aim right now.
Hallgrimsson has made the team tougher to play against. Ireland racked up far too many defeats under Kenny, but Friday’s draw with Senegal was another indication of their greater resolve.
There are still question marks over the attack, though, and Ireland do not have much time before the qualifiers to become more efficient in forward areas. For now, though, Halgrimsson is keen to focus on the plus points – for obvious reasons.
“The big thing from this game (against Senegal) is we can play top teams,” the manager said. “We are disappointed not to win the game tonight, and at times we made them look an average team.
“If you look at where we are at the moment, and what run they are on I think we should be happy with the performance of the players tonight.”
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Luxembourg vs Ireland betting tips. 18+ GambleAware.org – Please play responsibly.Luxembourg vs Ireland betting tips
Luxembourg host the Republic of Ireland in an international friendly on Tuesday.
Republic of Ireland to win
Luxembourg were once among the perennial whipping boys of Europe, but they have become more competitive of late.
They are now in League C of the Nations League rather than League D, while they won five Euro 2024 qualifiers and finished third in their group – a remarkable achievement.
Luxembourg should not be underestimated, as the Republic of Ireland know from their own experience.
But while the Red Lions have come on leaps and bounds in recent times, they still lose more games than they win.
If the Republic of Ireland play to their potential on Tuesday, they should come out on top.
⚽ Back the Republic of Ireland to win at 21/20 with SBK ⚽
Over 2.5 goals
Neither Luxembourg nor the Republic of Ireland are prolific goalscorers.
The former have scored two goals or more in only one of their last 11 matches, while Ireland have struggled in the final third for some time now.
This is a friendly, though, which means there is nothing to lose for either team. With a bit of luck, that should produce an entertaining encounter.
Luxembourg would love to take a scalp in front of their own supporters, while Ireland are looking to build some momentum ahead of the World Cup qualifiers.
There is reason enough to believe this will be a fun 90 minutes of football.
⚽ Tip over 2.5 goals at 6/5 with Spreadex ⚽
Evan Ferguson to score any time
Evan Ferguson was held up as the next great attacking talent in the Premier League a couple of years back, but his career has stalled since then.
Injuries have checked Ferguson’s progress, but he also struggled to make an impression on loan at West Ham United in the second half of last season.
Adam Idah started up front against Senegal on Friday, with Ferguson entering the fray as a second-half substitute.
The Brigthon & Hove Albion frontman could be given the nod on Tuesday as the Republic of Ireland aim to return to winning ways.
At the odds available, this is worth a punt.
⚽ Select Evan Ferguson to score any time at 27/10 with BetVictor ⚽
📺 How to watch Luxembourg vs the Republic of Ireland
- Location: Stade de Luxembourg, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg.
- Date and time: Tuesday 10th June, 7.45pm.
- How to watch: Amazon Prime Video.
About the author
Greg Lea
Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.
Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball
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