Recent entries in World Cup 2010
Betting odds update for Republic of Ireland v France
Daniel McDonnell / 12 November 2009 Free Bet View Market
Can Ireland defy the odds and qualify for the World Cup?
"The good news for Trapattoni is that he has avoided the dreaded curse of injuries which means that his star players, Shay Given, Dunne, Damien Duff and Robbie Keane are all available."
The Irish football team's World Cup playoff showdown with France is dominating hearts and minds.
Giovanni Trapattoni has performed great feats with this Irish side but his mission statement when appointed was to take this team to South Africa so it all boils down to these encounters with Raymond Domenech's troubled French side who do not appear to be fully united behind their boss.
Certainly, that's the feeling in the Irish camp, who seem intent on adding fuel to the fire and heaping pressure upon their opponent. Central defender Richard Dunne came out to offer the opinion that Domenech had 'messed up' France's recent major tournament forays and suggested that if Ireland could take the lead, then the hot favourites didn't have the man at the top to turn it around.
It's significant because Ireland are at home first and steadfast in their belief that they need to take a lead to Paris for Wednesday's decisive second leg. The good news for Trapattoni is that he has avoided the dreaded curse of injuries which means that his star players, Shay Given, Dunne, Damien Duff and Robbie Keane are all available.
That list pales in comparison to the French golden boys but Domenech has already lost Franck Ribery and there's now a doubt surrounding regular starter Jeremy Toulalan. The Irish may be the happier camp, but they will need far more than that to succeed.
Current Odds:
Saturday: Ireland [3.35] France [2.52] Draw [3.2]
To Qualify: France [1.36] Ireland [3.45]
