10th Feb 2011 | Football
Great Scots Challenge Irish
Convincing wins for Scotland and the Republic of Ireland in the Carling Nations Cup have set up a two-horse race for glory.
The assumption that the Republic of Ireland will stroll to Carling Nations Cup triumph was called into question last night by a convincing 3-0 win for Scotland against Northern Ireland in Dublin.
Goals from Kenny Miller, James McArthur and Kris Commons capped a dominant display for Craig Levein’s men whose odds of winning the trophy have shortened to just 5/4 with Bluesquare and a best price of 6/4 with PaddyPower. The ROI remain slight favourites at 10/11 with William Hill. Trapattoni’s side made similarly short shrift of their opponents when they overpowered Wales 3-0 in Gary Speed’s first game in charge.
The Nations Cup will now be played to its conclusion in the final week of May. Both front runners will be expected to win when this week’s opponents are reversed setting up a potential decider between the Republic of Ireland and Scotland in the tournament’s final match.
Odds correct at time of publishing: 14:06 10th Feb, 2011 but subject to change
