Ireland v New Zealand: free football tip, betting preview, tips & where to watch

Where to watch

Sky Sports Football & RTE2, 7.45pm Thursday

Best bet

One or both teams not to score
1pt Evens general

Team news

Ireland
Mick McCarthy will not risk some key players before Monday's crucial qualifier with Denmark. Aaron Connolly misses out with a groin injury. Under-21 stars Troy Parrott and Lee O'Connor will make their debuts, while Shamrock Rovers favourite Jack Byrne will be handed his second cap.

New Zealand
West Ham defender Winston Reid returns following a long-term injury.

Match preview

Mick McCarthy wasn’t being rude when he said he hasn’t got a clue about Thursday's opponents, New Zealand, because not many people have.

It’s 525 days since the All Whites played a competitive game – a 2-1 win against India in Mumbai which isn’t much of a formguide.

Some things we know are that Burnley striker Chris Wood will lead the line for the Kiwis in Dublin and he carries a huge threat, while fit-again Winston Reid is a decent centre-back.

Beyond that it’s hard to form many opinions of the New Zealand outfit.

For Ireland this is very much a warm-up for Monday night’s do-or-die Euro 2020 qualifier against Denmark and, as such, McCarthy won’t be taking any risks with his personnel.

Tottenham’s teenage striker Troy Parrott and Shamrock Rovers midfielder Jack Byrne have already been told they are starting as McCarthy keeps his powder dry for the big one.

This is not a fixture which will mean a great deal to the hosts, though for Danny Hay’s visitors it’s a chance to do a bit of showing off on their first showdown with European opponents since a 4-0 humbling by Portugal at the 2017 Confederations Cup.

A few weeks before that they lost 1-0 in Belfast in a friendly against Northern Ireland and another low-scoring game is envisaged, though it may be wise to keep stakes small.

Key stat

Ireland have lost only two home friendlies since September 2014

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