Republic of Ireland v Serbia betting tips: Serbia on the brink of qualifying

With the return game against Luxembourg followed by a home game with Azerbaijan before their potential group decider at Portugal, avoiding defeat in Dublin would go a long way to seeing Serbia qualify.

Serbia are 6/5 to win while the draw can be backed at 21/10 in Republic of Ireland v Serbia betting tips.

Republic of Ireland v Serbia head-to-head

The teams have faced each other on six occasions since 2008 and Serbia remain unbeaten, winning three and drawing three. They are 2/7 to win or draw the game on the Double Chance market.

Ireland lost the last two meetings at home and three of the last four in total.

Serbia have scored two second-half goals in three of the last four meetings and it is 15/4 for them to draw at half-time but go on to win the game.

Both sides scored in four of their previous six meetings and it is 19/10 for that to be the case again.

Three of the last six meetings yielded three goals or more in total, and five of the last seven games involving Serbia similarly yielded three goals or more. It is 5/4 for over 2.5 goals to be scored in the game in Republic of Ireland v Serbia betting tips.

Republic of Ireland v Serbia key battles

Ireland’s draw with Azerbaijan means they have not won in 16 attempts, which is their worst ever run of competitive games without a victory.

Dragan Stojkovic’s side won’t take Ireland lightly and they do often seem to get more out of Mitrovic than his employers at Fulham do.

Mitrovic is good on his day and was recently awarded a five-year contract with the Championship side, yet the fact remains he has not had too many good days over the last year or so.

Keeping him quiet will be half the battle, although stopping the supply line on the left flank from Filip Kostic will be high on Kenny’s to-do list.

Mitrovic is 13/10 to score at any time, while it is 12/5 that Ireland keep a clean sheet, something they have managed to do in just two of their last 10 games.

View the latest World Cup qualifying odds

All odds and markets correct as of date of publication