France vs. Ireland Betting Odds Preview, Euro 2016 Round-of-16 Prediction

Hosts France enter the round of 16 as the overall favorite to win Euro 2016 and the big chalk to at least advance at the expense of the Republic of Ireland in Lyon on Sunday.

The French fell in the quarterfinals of Euro 2012 to eventual winners Spain and will be looking to take out the Irish in their first game of the knockout stages this time around as solid favorites on the three-way line at sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark.

Match Odds: France -217, Ireland +977, Draw +313 (Matchup Report)

France took care of business in winning Group A with two wins and a scoreless draw, which happened against Switzerland on Sunday. The French surrendered only one goal in group play, and that took place in a 2-1 win over Romania in the tournament opener back on June 10.

They also blanked Albania 2-0 in between those two games behind goals from Antoine Griezmann and Dimitri Payet, who also scored against Romania. France heads into the round of 16 as the plus-400 favorite on the odds to win Euro 2016 (bet $100 to win $400).

Meanwhile, Ireland squeezed into the round of 16 with four points courtesy of a win, loss and draw in Group E, finishing behind Italy and Belgium. The Irish pulled off one of the stunners in group play by upsetting the Italians 1-0 on Tuesday thanks to a goal from Robbie Brady in the 85th minute. Belgium crushed them 3-0 in their previous game, and they played out a 1-1 tie with Sweden in their opener.

The new expanded format of 24 teams obviously helped Ireland get this far, as four third-place teams made the round of 16.

Based on how both teams performed in group play, this should be a fairly low-scoring match, with France clearly the better side. Ireland managed only two goals and surrendered four in three games while the French scored four times, notching two in two different contests.

Bettors should not read too much into France’s draw with Switzerland, either, because their spot in the round of 16 had already been earned.

The bigger question is, can Ireland pick up where they left off in their last game and build on the momentum gained from the upset of Italy? If this tournament was being played in any other country, Ireland might have a shot. But France will prove to be too good playing on their own soil.

Prediction: France 2-0 Republic of Ireland

All betting lines per Odds Shark. Check out the latest Euro 2016 news.