Shay Given is a Premier League and Republic of Ireland legend with 134 caps for his country. As CopyBet’s brand ambassador he offers his football experience and insights to customers weekly. Follow @No1shaygiven on X and find tips at Betting Tips Today
Shay Given's International Football Predictions
Shay Given's International Football Predictions
CopyBet brand ambassador and former Republic of Ireland goalkeeper, Shay Given provides his predictions for four of the upcoming matches, a selection which when combined would return at odds of 13/2.
Greece come into this game in excellent form having won six of their last seven matches in all competitions, including a 2-1 victory at Wembley against England. Their only defeat in this period came at home to England back in November and at 20/21 with CopyBet they are favourites to come out on top against Scotland.
The Scots halted a run of eight games without a win, when they recorded back to back successes against Croatia and Poland at the end of last year.
Shay's Prediction: Bulgaria 0-1 Republic of Ireland
Thu 20 Mar, 19:45
Bulgaria have become something of a draw specialist in recent times, having drawn eight of their last 12 matches.
Illian Iliev's side have found goals hard to come back and have only netted six times in their last 10 matches in all competitions. That'll be music to Irish ears as Heimir Hallgrimsson's men haven't exactly been prolific of late themselves.
With the Irish managing a miserly three goals in their last six games all signs point to a low scoring affair in this one.
This is Thomas Tuchel's first game in charge of England so he'll obviously be keen to get off to a winning start and show the nation how he wants to play.
Harry Kane scored a hat-trick the last time these two sides faced each other at Wembley back in 2021, with England running out 5-0 victors on the night. It should be another comfortable win for the Three Lions on Friday with Albania losing five of their last nine matches and winning just two of them.
Since their Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain, England have won five of their six matches and have scored 11 in their last three, conceding just once in the process.
Wales are unbeaten in their last six games under Craig Bellamy, winning three and drawing three. They've become very hard to break down as well, keeping three clean sheets in that time.
Bellamy will be desperate to get their World Cup qualifying campaign off to a positive start at home to Kazakhstan and given that the Kazaks have lost 10 of their last 12 matches, Wales are firm favourites for victory in Cardiff.
*Odds correct at the time of writing. 18+ only. GambleAware.