Goals and more goals the target for Rep of Ireland

7Jun 2013

World Cup Brazil 2014

Three points is a given says Daniel McDonnell, but with Ireland's goal difference in a poor state Giovanni Trapattoni's men must find the net as often as possible against the Faroe Islands...

Rep of Ireland v Faroe Islands

Wednesday 19:45, live on Sky Sports 1

The Irish attitude to Friday's World Cup qualifier with the Faroe Islands is simple. Score early, and score often.

With a dire goal difference, Ireland need to do more than just pick up three points from this game - which they should have no problem doing considering that the Faroes are particularly dreadful on their travels - they also have to bridge the goal difference gap between themselves and second place rivals Austria and Sweden.

The former have a differential of +9 while Sweden are on +3. Ireland, meanwhile, are on -1 and therefore need to rack up a high number in this encounter. There can be no taking the foot off the pedal if this game is won before half time, which seems likely.

Ireland failed to score in the first half in Torshavn last October but it's hard to see a similar situation developing here, even if the explosive Shane Long will be missed. Robbie Keane, who becomes record caps holder on his 126th appearance, looked sharp in scoring a late brace against Georgia on Sunday and he will be partnered by Jon Walters.

Betting wise, the main angle to the game revolves around how many goals Ireland can to score. With the hosts trading at 1.09 to win and 1.38 in the Half Time/Full Time market, you have to look that way.

The most emphatic competitive success under Giovanni Trapattoni was the 4-0 playoff win in Estonia in 2011 and there is a strong chance that will be exceeded here, with an attacking side featuring Wes Hoolahan in the centre of the park and striker Simon Cox on the right set to go for the jugular. Indeed, the inclusion of Hoolahan as an alternative to another holding midfielder arguably makes it the most positive selection of Trapattoni's tenure.

After knocking four past a hapless Georgia side last Sunday, they are capable of going at least one further here if they carry that momentum into the game. Over/Under 4.5 Goals is a fair enough cutoff point to look at the goals market, and the 3.4 about Overs is attractive.

By extension, the 2.48 about 'Any Unquoted' in the Correct Score market also offers appeal as Ireland are capable of scoring more than three times.

Although they only broke the deadlock against the Georgians shortly before the interval, they can get off to a flier here, with full backs Marc Wilson and Seamus Coleman also set to provide added impetus. When the market develops, take a punt on the First Goal coming in the 11-20 Minutes window. Cox is 5.3 to score it and that is also worth a speculative few quid.

Hoolahan offers extra subtlety but the presence of Walters means that Ireland will go direct in times, so there should be no shortage of corner kicks. The 2.58 about 13 or more is worth pursuing on a night where Ireland should remove nerves and set up an exciting September when they meet Sweden and Austria again.