Qatar v Ireland predictions: Expect tight friendly affair in Hungary

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Qatar v Ireland in Tuesday's international friendly.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Football, 7.45pm

Best bet

Under 1.5 goals
1pt 9-4 Betfred

Team news

Qatar
Qatar have no new injury concerns.

Ireland
There are no new absentees but Kevin Long, John Egan, Conor Hourihane, Callum O'Dowda and Aaron Connolly are among those who were left out of the initial squad due to injuries.

Match preview

Stephen Kenny has been in charge of the Ireland national team for less than a year but already the former Dundalk boss finds himself under mounting pressure in the hotseat.

Kenny has so far overseen ten matches, drawing four and losing six and their latest loss is the most concerning.

After losing their opening World Cup 2022 qualifier with Serbia 3-2, Ireland hosted Luxembourg and were long odds-on to prevail but Kenny's men fell to a 1-0 defeat.

Neither side had been able to find the net until the 85th minute when Gerson Rodrigues converted and the result raised serious questions about the Boys in Green at both ends of the pitch.

They managed only three shots on target compared to Luxembourg's four and the result means Ireland have failed to score in seven of their last eight matches.

A lack of creativity in the final third has been their greatest problem - they have a mediocre pool of players to choose from in Callum Robinson, Shane Long, James Collins and Troy Parrot among others - and backing under 1.5 goals looks the best bet in their friendly with Qatar.

Qatar are preparing to host the World Cup next year and, although their participation is guaranteed, they have had to play a part in the qualification process and have looked pretty solid at the back, conceding only once in six games.

Ireland will represent a step up in quality but, even though this is a friendly, there could be plenty of nerves in Kenny's camp and backing a low-scoring affair looks the way to play it.

Key stat

Qatar have kept clean sheets in two of their last three matches.

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