Giovanni Trapattoni and Robbie Keane may be full of optimism about the Republic of Ireland qualifying for the World Cup finals in South Africa. But talking the talk and walking the walk are two different things and in reality, it looks curtains for the boys in green.

The Republic haven't beaten a team of France's stature away from home in two decades while France themselves, have only lost at home once in 10 years, so the odds on an Irish success are slim to say the least after the 1-0 defeat at Croke Park last Saturday night.

Tonight's second leg has left France and manager Raymond Domenech under little pressure. They can sit back and force Ireland to do all the pressing before hitting them on them on the break.

Ireland must score. France don't have to, while one strike from them and the axe falls on Trapp's dream.

Les Bleus are no world beaters and won't cut much ice in South Africa but at least they will be in the draw for the group stages and it’s no surprise to see them 1-10 to qualify. The French are 8-15 to win tonight's match while the Republic are 6-1 for victory and 7-1 to go through. There is no point in taking the latter odds as they could win the match and still go out in extra-time or on penalties.

On balance, a 0-0 scoreline |(7-1) is more than a strong possibility and that means having a bet at the same odds on no goalscorer. That gives the punter the edge as own goals do not count in the latter market which means France or the Republic can win |1-0 courtesy of an own-goal and you are still a winner.

As for the outright winners come next summer, Brazil have shown that they are the team to beat — and there are only a few possible winners.

Spain should be the best of the Europeans along with Holland and possibly England but now is the time to go nuts on Brazil at 5-1 with Paddy Power. It's unlikely the Samba boys will be any better than that. Each-way pays 5-2 to reach the final.

Meanwhile, George Burley got the kiss of death from the Scottish FA when given a vote of confidence a mere two months ago only to be given the boot following Scotland's 3-0 defeat by Wales.

Such was the confidence surrounding Burley that Hill's were offering 7-4 that he would leave before the start of the European Championships qualifiers and 2-5 that he would still be in charge! They certainly got that badly wrong.

Dundee United boss Craig Levien is the favourite (4-1) to get the job while Kilmarnock's Jim Jeffries has been cut from 20-1 to 14s. It is noticeable that the big-named Scots such as Sir Alex Ferguson, David Moyes, Alex McLeish, Owen Coyle and Graeme Souness are outsiders as none would be interested in such a post in view of the paucity of Scottish talent and little prospect of qualifying for anything.

Sir Alex is quoted at 50-1 but no one would even look at 5,000-1 about Fergie leaving Old Trafford for the post

The SFA may be forced to go back to former international bosses such as Walter Smith or Craig Brown and both are worth an interest at 6-1 and 10-1 respectively.