Wales v Ireland - The Big Match Preview

Wales v Ireland - The Big Match Preview
16:01, 08 Oct 2017

Wales and Ireland head into a winner-takes-all encounter at the Cardiff City Stadium. There is potentially a play-off place up for grabs, which would grant one of the nations in question a shot at qualifying for next summer’s World Cup.

Kick-off: October 9, 19:45; Venue: Cardiff City Stadium; Referee: Damir Skomina

After nine matches, just one point separates the two sides as both countries won their games during the week. A second-half thunderbolt from Tom Lawrence earned Wales a crucial win in Georgia while the Republic of Ireland beat Moldova comfortably, thanks to two goals from Daryl Murphy.

Wales got by without Bale, but know there’s still work to do before plans can be made for Russia. Of course, Bale is among the best players in the world and would be missed by any national side, but Ireland have key absentees of their own.

Seamus Coleman broke his leg in this fixture at the Aviva Stadium earlier this year. At 28, Coleman was a player in his prime, only becoming familiar with captaining his country. He has been a massive loss not only for Ireland but Everton, too.

Yet Wales coped well without Bale on Friday evening, especially considering how they’ve not previously triumphed without their star man since October 2013. Wales are a better side with Bale — but don’t be fooled that Martin O’Neill has a fully strong side to select from. He doesn’t.

Chris Coleman’s men only need a point against Ireland to advance to the play-offs, whereas anything less than a win will see the boys in green eliminated early. Home advantage could prove decisive but O’Neill will have his players well drilled for the occasion.

However, with Jonathan Walters and Robbie Brady returning to the Ireland squad, it will be interesting to see how O’Neill sets up from an attacking point of view. Shane Long hasn’t performed this campaign and Murphy (averaging a goal every 55 minutes in World Cup qualifying - three goals in 166 minutes) was dangerous on Friday night, so the boss has some big decisions to make.

Wales, on the other hand, have won just one of their last 10 matches against Ireland (D4 L5) and none of the last seven. What’s more is Coleman’s team are unbeaten in their last 10 competitive matches on home soil, winning six and drawing four.

After Euro 2016, it’s a shame one of these nations will have to miss out on next summer’s World Cup. Wales were one of the fascinating stories on the pitch in France while the Irish rocked the streets of France with nursery rhymes and all sorts of good-natured fun.

Prediction: Wales 1-1 Ireland

You can follow the game via our Match Centre on Monday 9th October (Kick Off 745pm BST)

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