Ireland 11-10 for World Cup qualification

By Mark Langdon 5:58PM 25 MAR 2017

IRELAND are halfway through a successful World Cup qualifying campaign and BoyleSports rate Martin O’Neill’s side 11-10 to reach the Russia finals.

Friday’s feisty goalless stalemate with Wales will be remembered for all the wrong reasons after Neil Taylor was sent off for a shocking tackle which broke Seamus Coleman’s leg, but the point edged Ireland a step closer towards qualification.

O’Neill’s side are 2-1 to win a tight group which sees them level with on points with leaders Serbia with third-placed Wales four points back on the front two.

Wales are 7-2 with Betfred to win the group but things are looking tricky for the European Championship semi-finalists.

Star man Gareth Bale picked up a yellow card which means he is suspended for the crunch clash in Serbia next up.

Coral offer 6-5 that Wales make the finals and the playoffs – for the eight-best second-placed sides - looks to be the best hope for Chris Coleman’s side.

Scotland face a match manager Gordon Strachan has declared “must win” against Slovenia on Sunday if his side if they are to continue fighting for World Cup qualification.

Sky Bet make the Scots 10-1 to be involved in Russia and Strachan said: “We have to win. There’s no grey areas to it.”

Gareth Southgate has confirmed newspaper reports that Joe Hart will captain England for their clash with Lithuania at Wembley. Qualification is looking a breeze for the Three Lions who are 1-9 with Betfair to finish on top of Group F.

Northern Ireland host Norway with Michael O’Neill’s side battling with Sunday's opponents and Czech Republic to finish second to world champions Germany in Group C. The Windsor Park hosts are 9-4 with 188Bet for a top-two finish.

Bolton narrowed the gap on Sky Bet League One leaders Sheffield United to four points after a 2-0 success at Shrewsbury.

Lincoln took a massive step towards promotion back to the Sky Bet Football League thanks to a 3-1 triumph against National League title rivals Forest Green, while Dundee United won the Scottish Challenge Cup with a 2-1 victory over St Mirren.