Euro 2016 - Group E - Belgium vs Ireland, 2 pm, RTE & ITV

Mr.Nice Guy · 17-06-2016 11:17PM #1

Belgium vs Ireland

2:00pm Saturday 18th June
Nouveau Stade Bordeaux

It's the one we've been waiting for. Not long to go now.

Belgium are second in the rankings but they've had a dismal week with a poor performance in their loss to Italy and rumours of unrest behind the scenes. Questions have been asked about Marc Wilmots's tactics and it's not clear who will start for them in attack as Lukaku had a bad game and may be axed.

As for ourselves, we look to be without Jon Walters through injury but seem to have a clean bill of health besides that. Big question mark is who replaces Walters. Does McClean come in, or perhaps Meyler? Maybe Christie on the right flank?

Here's hoping Long can get more opportunities in this game and take them when they come along. McCarthy needs a big game too.

How does this one go...I'm expecting a reaction from the Belgians and with De Bruyne rumoured to be getting to play in his preferred number 10 role, I think he will cause us problems. I'm worried. I fear this may be our toughest game. Sadly, my head says it will be Belgium's day but the heart doesn't want to believe that. I think we can get a result but we will need a big performance, an off-day again for Belgium, a bit of luck, and some cool heads to prevail - unlike the game with Sweden.

How do you see this one going? Can we do it?

Come on, Ireland.

SantryRed · 17-06-2016 11:28PM

We're never gonna have a better opportunity (prior to the game) to beat a team so high up in the rankings. The Belgians are in complete disarray and I actually think frustrating them early is key. If we can deny them an early goal, that'll get them chirping at each other once again.

I hope it's Meyler who takes Walters place. He is the person who least disrupts our formation which worked well against the Swedes. If McClean plays, he removes our biggest threat in Brady, so I hope it's Brady and Hendrick again up the left wing.

For all the talk of us being unable to score, we have only failed to score once in our last 13 competitive matches, being Scotland away, where MON made a bit of a balls of the team selection and he learned his lesson. We do have the capabilities to score tomorrow. I want to believe that we can at least get a draw and be in the driving seat going into the final game, but my head tells me Belgium will nick it by the odd goal.

dfx- · 17-06-2016 11:50PM

Ireland put in a very conservative, underwhelming performance after a positive display twice in the qualifiers. Scotland and Poland away followed the German games..the Poland one in particular where qualification was in their hands had they gone for it...

That's what they need to avoid repeating.

Cake Man · 18-06-2016 12:55AM

Would have to say I'd be shocked if we won and maybe a little bit surprised if we were to get a draw. You'd have to think Belgium's attacking threat will get at least a few chances over the 90 minutes and surely one or two will go in.

Hope it's not a game where we're pinned in our own half the entire game but we probably won't get many chances. Any that we do, we just have to take. It would be great to get a result here and at least put us in 3rd position and go into the Italy game knowing a draw would be good enough to secure 3rd.

I'm going to try avoid any hope and anything good that comes is a bonus and go for a 2-0 Belgian win.

The very best of luck to Martin, Roy and all the lads. COYBIG

GLaDOS · 18-06-2016 12:58AM

Probably the pessimist in me speaking, but I'd snap your arm off for a draw right now.

briany · 18-06-2016 01:21AM

ScienceNerd wrote: »

Probably the pessimist in me speaking, but I'd snap your arm off for a draw right now.

No, a draw would be a stellar result. Talk of that Belgian team not being so good is making me nervous, setting us up for a fall. They're still a team of world-class players, so I think we are waaaaay overestimating the effect of some discontent in their camp. Well, that might be more of a factor in a game with more parity in skill, but I think there's a gulf there in this one to come, (sorry Robbie, sorry Wessie) that won't be overridden. They'll have a point to prove. As good as Ireland were in parts of the game v. Sweden, they'll have to be better than that, for the whole game, and hope for a better share of luck.

And Walters being out is a huge blow. Clark is a liability. McClean is a hothead with more b*llox than skill. McGeady is only good for his mazy runs to nothing, and he's no longer even good for that. Going for the jugular tomorrow would only expose an even more limited Irish side than usual. Pragmatism and using the midfield to shield the defense would be the key - trying to hold the ball - Ireland won't be able to manage 90 minutes of backs to the wall without conceding. In the event Ireland could score a goal early, they'd really be run ragged trying to the defend that lead.

Hopefully it works out, anyway. The country seems to really wanna party.

CSF · 18-06-2016 01:32AM

Am I the only one who thinks Belgium are massive favourites to win this and the optimism floating around/bookie prices are absolutely insane?

Cake Man · 18-06-2016 01:41AM

CSF wrote: »

Am I the only one who thinks Belgium are massive favourites to win this and the optimism floating around/bookie prices are absolutely insane?

They're 5/6 on PP right now, that is a big enough price I have to say for a side that will most likely win. It's probably due to many lumping on us both in blind fate (and to be fair off the back of the Sweden performance) and in response to Belgium's poor opener v Italy. The fact that all the "smaller" teams in the tournament so far have done well might also play a part.

As for the game, if we fall a goal behind it's hard to see us getting anything. We're just not equipped to chase games so it's vital to keep them out, especially early.

TimRiggins · 18-06-2016 02:12AM

I think we have a real shot. I really do.

Belgium play like a team who has never met each other before. No interest in build up play, they all just seem to want create a great piece of individual skill, which works against many teams, but if the lads defend well and are able to break up their play and frustrate them, we could get the win.

Belgium's left back is a center back who plays for Montreal Impact, a huge weakness. If we can get Brady and Hendricks out to exploit him on the counter we can get a goals.

Clampdown · 18-06-2016 03:11AM

Just looking at it objectively, Belgium were the favorites to win the group, off a bad loss, and have the chance to get back on track by beating what is probably the worst team in the group. I'll be shocked if the Belgians don't take the 3 points.

NIMAN · 18-06-2016 04:11AM

I think a draw would be a great result, better than the point we got v Sweden, as we came away disappointed from that game.

Belgium are a better team than Sweden. Add to this the fact they lost their opener, they will really be going for the 3 pts off us.

18-06-2016 04:34AM

If a draw now means we could draw against Italy and get through, then I'd definitely take it.

Presume Belgium expect to beat us, and always saw us and Sweden as 6 points.

NIMAN · 18-06-2016 05:42AM

I think our best hope is a draw today, and maybe sneak 3 against an Italian team playing a second string side since they are already through.

Having said that, this assumes a 2nd string side will be easier to beat. Many will be trying to impress.

18-06-2016 07:10AM

Have to say, while I'd take a draw, when I recall Heysel 1981, Gerets diving, Ceulemans foul on MacDonagh, Stapleton's disallowed goal, Belgians bribing referees wholesale, Brady Lawrenson and others denied the chance to go to the WC by the cheating cheating cheating Belgians...if we do nothing else in this tournament I'd laugh if we beat Belgium and they didn't make the knockouts.

happyoutscan · 18-06-2016 07:26AM

Up since 5:20, nerves are shot. And now I'm wrecked.

IamtheWalrus · 18-06-2016 07:30AM

Wouldn't a win be nice.

Francie Barrett · 18-06-2016 07:57AM

Reckon Belgium turn up today and give us a tonking.

gordongekko · 18-06-2016 07:59AM

happyoutscan wrote: »

Up since 5:20, nerves are shot. And now I'm wrecked.

just go back to bed for an hour

paddylonglegs · 18-06-2016 08:02AM

happyoutscan wrote: »

Up since 5:20, nerves are shot. And now I'm wrecked.

Me too! But I have kids so I kinda deserve it

Unearthly · 18-06-2016 08:17AM

I wish I was optimistic.

But I fear there is a thumping coming

sonic85 · 18-06-2016 08:29AM

Lot of misplaced optimism going around ever since the Swedish game ignoring the fact it's a game we should've won. I've seen stuff online and also in mainstream media downplaying Belgium and using the fact they lost their first match as a sign we could win ignoring the fact they were poor and coming up against a very good well organised Italian side. Will they play as poor again? And even if they do is a Belgian side playing poorly still good enough to beat us? Will they create chances? I'd say yes.

There was so much hype over Ibrahimovic before the first game everyone wondering how we'd deal with Swedens only world class player - how will we deal with a side with more than one? I think we could nab a draw but only if everything goes right for us. We need to play very well and have a big slice of luck. Can't see it happening though and I'll go for Belgium to win comfortably

Ben Gadot · 18-06-2016 08:41AM

ScienceNerd wrote: »

Probably the pessimist in me speaking, but I'd snap your arm off for a draw right now.

What about your own bloody arm?

MarkY91 · 18-06-2016 09:00AM

Francie Barrett wrote: »

Reckon Belgium turn up today and give us a tonking.

They'll certainly will if the irish players woke up today with your attitude lol

remoteboy · 18-06-2016 09:06AM

Tempted to put money on Belgium for the win. It's the only way I can think to guarantee they won't get the victory ðŸ˜«

18-06-2016 09:08AM

remoteboy wrote: »

Tempted to put money on Belgium for the win. It's the only way I can think to guarantee they won't get the victory ðŸ˜«

What price? If I put a 100 quid on them I surely won't be as depressed if we loose.
We will draw so :P

SantryRed · 18-06-2016 09:08AM

remoteboy wrote: »

Tempted to put money on Belgium for the win. It's the only way I can think to guarantee they won't get the victory ðŸ˜«

Just done exactly this. 5/6 is probably still too big for them to be fair. But saying that, they seem to be in serious disarray.

remoteboy · 18-06-2016 09:12AM

SantryRed wrote: »

Just done exactly this. 5/6 is probably still too big for them to be fair. But saying that, they seem to be in serious disarray.

Done. 4/5 on Paddy Power. Had credit in my wallet. Happy to throw away a tenner if it means a draw / victory. #COYBIG

Chardee MacDennis · 18-06-2016 09:12AM

SantryRed wrote: »

Just done exactly this. 5/6 is probably still too big for them to be fair. But saying that, they seem to be in serious disarray.

20 quid on them on PP, get a free 5 bet for every time they score too.

it means it can't be too disappointed!

remoteboy · 18-06-2016 09:13AM

Added Vermaelen to my fantasy euro team too. Not taking any chances ðŸ˜„

PTH2009 · 18-06-2016 09:14AM

3-1 Belgium Shane long to score out goal in the 34th min

happyoutscan · 18-06-2016 09:14AM

gordongekko wrote: »

just go back to bed for an hour

If only I could.

Euro 2016 - Group E - Belgium vs Ireland, 2 pm, RTE & ITV

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