Ireland vs Armenia: Keane doubtful but Ireland still big favourites
Published:Ireland will guarantee themselves a Euro 2012 play-off place with a draw against Armenia tomorrow night – but they may have to do it without captain Robbie Keane.
Keane played in the Republic’s win over Andorra on Friday night but came off complaining of a sore abductor muscle.
The LA Galaxy striker looks set to be replaced in the starting line-up by either Simon Cox or Shane Long.
Apart from the injury to Keane, Giovanni Trapattoni has no other injury worries and his side are big favourites to pick up three points at 8/13 .
However, Armenia are no pushovers and a win would see them claim second spot and a place in the play-offs.
Armenia are 9/2 to get the win and head into the game on the back of two convincing away wins, seeing off Andorra and Slovakia 3-0 and 4-0 respectively.
They have hit the net 21 times in their nine qualifying games so far and Trapattoni’s men only just squeezed past them 1-0 in their first meeting last year.
A win for Ireland could still see them top the group however, but they would be relying on Andorra to win away at Russia.
With Russia 1/100 to get a win against the minnows and finish top of Group B, a win for Andorra looks incredibly unlikely.
With Andorra not winning a game since 2004, it looks like the Irish will have to be content with a second-place finish.
