REPUBLIC OF IRELAND V WALESWorld Cup Qualifiers Group stage
Friday 24 March, 19:45
Aviva Stadium
Over 5,000 Welsh Football Fans are travelling
Game Sold Out
Bookies Odds
William Hill
Republic of Ireland 6/4
Draw 2/1
Wales 9/4
' TEAM NEWS '
Wales will be at full strength with Gareth Bale having returned from injury and suspension with club side Real Madrid.
Tom Lawrence was withdrawn from the squad and replaced by Liverpool youngster Harry Wilson.
Another Anfield product, Ben Woodburn, could win his first cap if he is called upon at any stage.
But expect Coleman to stick the line-up that helped Wales qualify for, and reach the semi-finals of, Euro 2016.
The Republic, meanwhile, have a host of injury problems.
Shane Duffy, Ciaran Clark, Harry Arter, Wes Hoolahan and Daryl Murphy are all out, while Robbie Brady is suspended.
However, Seamus Coleman and James McCarthy look set to start after the Everton duo overcame knocks.
Chris Coleman:
“We are four points behind the Republic but there are 18 points to play for and we have got to play them twice. We’ve still got to play Serbia – I know it’s away – but they have still got to meet us. So there is a lot to play for. A lot lot lot to play for.”
Latest News ' LATEST NEWS '
22/03/17
Republic of Ireland's injury crisis deepened on Tuesday with striker Daryl Murphy ruled out of Friday's World Cup qualifier against Wales in Dublin.
The Newcastle United forward has a calf problem and has returned to his club for further treatment.
It is another blow for Republic boss Martin O'Neill after the withdrawals of Wes Hoolahan, Shane Duffy, Ciaran Clark and Harry Arter.
Everton midfielder James McCarthy is being monitored for a hamstring injury.
This is realistically a must win for Wales if they are looking to top the group and qualify. Wales have no major injury concerns at the moment.
17 year old Liverpool star Ben Woodburn has been called up to the Wales squad
The SquadsWales
Ireland
Ireland
FIFA World Cup™ finals historyThe Republic of Ireland’s breakthrough FIFA World Cup was Italy 1990, featuring a fairytale run to the quarter-finals. They were back in the latter stages four years later, having beaten Italy 1-0 in a famous group opener at New York’s Giants Stadium. While their most recent trip, in 2002, saw Robbie Keane’s last-gasp equaliser against Germany set up a last 16 encounter with Spain, they ultimately lost on penalties.
The teamThroughout the squad there is a healthy mix of youth and experience, with speedster Seamus Coleman and the technically astute James McCarthy complimenting veteran defender John O’Shea and the ever-agile Shay Given. Talismanic captain Robbie Keane, the current leading goalscorer in international football, recently announced his retirement from the national team.
The coachMartin O’Neill took on the Republic of Ireland role, his first international job, in 2013 after legendary Italian manager Giovanni Trapattoni stepped down. Roy Keane, who starred for the Boys in Green at the 1994 finals, is his assistant.
The stat2 - Republic of Ireland have won just twice in 13 World Cup games, but have emerged from their group in all three appearances on the global stage – reaching the quarter-finals in 1990 without winning a single match.
The former starsLiam Brady, Paul McGrath, Robbie Keane, Roy Keane
Wales
FIFA World Cup finals historyWales have only appeared at the finals once, in 1958 when they were led by the great John Charles. They reached the quarter-finals after a 2-1 win over returning runners-up Hungary, with a solitary Pele goal then sending them home. They have struggled in qualifying since, coming close in bids to reach 1982 and 1986 but lost out to Czechoslovakia and Scotland respectively on goal difference.
The teamNot lacking in individual talent, The Dragons are blessed with the likes of Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey, while Joe Ledley and Joe Allen help make up a dynamic midfield. Behind them, the likes of English Premier League regulars Ben Davies, James Collins and captain Ashley Williams feature in a solid backline.
The coachThough still a manager in the early stages of his coaching career, aged 44, Chris Coleman already has 12 years’ experience in the hot seat. Since taking charge of the nation he represented 36 times as a player in 2012, there have been promising signs that they could make their return to the World Cup.
The stat35 – The number of days after Gareth Bale's 17th birthday when he became Wales' youngest-ever goal-scorer.
The former starsJohn Charles, Ian Rush, Gary Speed, Ryan Giggs, Ivor Allchurch, Neville Southall
Qualifying Group & FixturesGROUP D Austria
Wales
Republic of Ireland
Serbia
Moldova
Georgia
2016September 5 Wales 4-0 Moldova
October 6 Austria 2 - 2 Wales
October 9 Wales 1 - 1 Georgia
November 12 Wales 1 - 1 Serbia
2017March 24: (a) v Republic of Ireland
June 11: (a) v Serbia
September 2: (h) v Austria
September 5: (a) v Moldova
October 6: (a) v Georgia
October 9: (h) v Republic of Ireland
Previous Meetings14/08/2013 Friendlies 2013 Wales 0 - 0 Republic of Ireland
08/02/2011 Nations Cup 2011 Republic of Ireland 3 - 0 Wales
17/11/2007 EC Qualification 2008 Austria/Switzerland Wales 2 - 2 Republic of Ireland
24/03/2007 EC Qualification 2008 Austria/Switzerland Republic of Ireland 1 - 0 Wales
11/02/1997 Friendlies 1997 Wales 0 - 0 Republic of Ireland
Aviva Stadium
Key factsOpening: 2010
Capacity: 50,000 seats
History and descriptionThe Aviva Stadium is the national stadium of Ireland and the standard playing venue of the Irish national team. It also hosts most of the nation’s major rugby matches.
The Aviva Stadium was built on the place of the old Lansdowne Road Stadium, which was one of the oldest stadiums in the world when it got demolished in 2007. Construction of the Aviva Stadium started right after and finished in early 2010. The stadium had a price tag of €410 million and was designed by Populous.
The Aviva Stadium officially opened on the 14th of May 2010. First football was played on the 4th of August 2010 when a League of Ireland side hosted Manchester United for a friendly (1-7).
In 2011 the stadium was the playing venue of the Europa League final between FC Porto and SC Braga (1-0).
The Aviva Stadium’s most notable feature are its curvilinear shaped stands enclosing the complete stadium, a shape chosen to make sure that the surrounding houses get enough sunlight. The stadium holds a total of 10,000 premium seats as well as 1,300 seats in corporate boxes. All seats are covered.
TicketsThe match is now sold out
Match OddsWales 12/5
Draw 2
Ireland 13/10
Guess The ScorePost your predictions below