World Cup Qualifier Preview: Republic of Ireland - v - Wales

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

It would be fair to say that a win over the Welsh tomorrow night would put Ireland in an excellent qualifying position for Russia 2018, despite a full round of group fixtures still to be negotiated.

 

November’s 1-0 awy win over Austria left a sweet taste in Irish mouths over the winter months as Martin O’Neill’s men perched themselves at the top of the Group D standings - two points clear of Serbia and four ahead of Wales.

 

James McClean’s stunning solo effort inspired Ireland to that victory in Vienna and if the Boys in Green are to enjoy another special night on Lansdowne Road, then they will require another top-class showing from the Derryman - especially in the absence of both Wes Hoolahan and Robbie Brady.

 

Hoolahan’s thigh complaint is the latest in a long line of injury issues for the Irish management to deal with, while Brady’s absence is through suspension having received a booking for petulantly kicking the ball away in the win over the Austrians.

 

However, O’Neill reflected upon the absences as an opportunity for others and believes that the game bears all the hallmarks of last summer’s memorable win over Italy.



 

“We have lost a good few players,” the Ireland manager told reporters at the pre-match press conference (for full report from that event see Michael Hanley’s article here).

 

“But we also have players who can come in and play and show that they want a place on this team, regardless of the league that they play in. We saw that at the Euros last year.

 

“We will need to produce a similar effort to the Italy game tomorrow, some of the players who performed on that evening will need to call on that experience again and go for it,” he added.



 

With Harry Arter and Hoolahan already missing, the onus is on James McCarthy to recover from his hamstring issue in time to line-up in the Irish midfield.

 

“James is improving very quickly which is good news and we will see how he is in the afternoon and hopefully he feels ok. In general, James is a very fit lad and okay, he hasn’t played for two and a half weeks but this shouldn’t be a factor.”

 

Gareth Bale looks to have won his injury race and is set to feature in a menacing Welsh attack, which also includes Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey and the Dragons’ Euro 2016 hero Hal Robson-Kanu.

 

O’Neill compared the predicament of trying to stop Bale to that of Zlatan Ibrahimovic last summer.

 

“I remember when we played Sweden in the summer all the talk was about Zlatan and this is similar. He's a world class player, but we can't just worry about him either.”

 

 

WALES

 

At full strength and with Gareth Bale to boot, you would have to fancy Wales to dictate affairs tomorrow night as they visit Lansdowne Road for the first time in a competitive international since 2007.

 

However, with the Dragons failing to bring their European Championship form from France into this qualifying campaign thus far, a win tomorrow night looks imperative if they are to keep their hopes of direct progress to Russia alive.

 

And Coleman is aware of the pressures on his side, who have won only one of their opening four qualifiers.

 

“Every game you play when you are representing Wales or Ireland, every time you go onto the pitch, every time you pull the jersey on, you have to perform,” Coleman said at the pre-match press conference in the Aviva.

 

“We’ve got a game plan. Ireland aren’t top of the group for nothing. We are in their backyard trying to make sure we go home with something.

 

“If you look in this campaign at the results, the big one was dropping two points against Georgia. We conceded in the last five minutes against Serbia but the performance was good. We got a point in Austria but that is now deemed not a good point.”

 

While Wales have attacking threats like Bale and Aaron Ramsey, Coleman believes that Ireland have more of a unit rather than one stand-out player.

 

“I think they are a team. That is just as big a threat than any one player in a team. If you’ve got a team that plays together, who are organised and who play with passion like Ireland, that is their biggest threat.

 

“We’re not too dissimilar teams even if we play slightly differently. In terms of passion and commitment and energy the two teams are very similar.

 

“I like Martin (O’Neill). He is someone I respect a lot. He has had a very good career as a manager and has been very successful. He has humility. I’m here to take everything from him tomorrow night (though) and him from me,” Coleman concluded.

 

For more from Chris Coleman at the pre-match press conference, see Macdara Ferris' report here.

 

Referee: Nicola Rizzoli (Italy)

 

 

 

MATCH STATS

Chris Coleman’s father, Patrick, was born in Dublin.

 

Ireland have won four of their last five matches, while Wales have drawn three of their four encounters since losing to Portugal in the semi-final of last summer’s European Championship.

 

The sides have only met in competitive qualifiers twice; both coming in 2007. Ireland won the maiden fixture 1-0 with Stephen Ireland getting the winner, while the second ended in a 2-2 draw.

 

MATCH BETTING

Republic of Ireland 31/20; Draw 2/1; Wales 21/10

 

PREDICTION

Republic of Ireland 1-1 Wales

 

Republic of Ireland

Injured: Shane Duffy, Wes Hoolahan, Ciaran Clark, Harry Arter, Rob Elliot, Paul McShane, Liam Kelly, David McGoldrick,

Doubtful: James McCarthy

Suspended: Robbie Brady

 

Wales

Injured: None

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

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