Gibraltar welcome Republic of Ireland to the Victoria Stadium in Group D’s opening qualifier for UEFA EURO 2020.
With their three fellow group members assured of a play-off spot via the Nations League, victory here is vital if either side are to mount a serious qualification challenge with the top two automatically progressing.
Team news
Embed from Getty ImagesGibraltar has a full squad available apart from the injured George Cabrera, so Alfreton Town’s Reece Styche could lead the line.
Republic of Ireland has no injury concerns as Robbie Brady looks set for subs bench, having had little playing time for Burnley in recent months.
Defender, Richard Keogh has a broken hand but is expected to start alongside Shane Duffy in central defence.
Stat Attack
- Gibraltar have lost their two previous meetings with Republic of Ireland, having conceded 11 goals without conceding.
- Ireland have lost just one of their last five matches in all competitions (D4, L1).
- Now retired Robbie Keane is the Green Army’s highest scorer in this fixture with five goals.
Prediction
Republic of Ireland are in for a tough test against a Gibraltar side who made some decent progress in 2018.
Their defence however is still weak so I am expecting them to potentially net once but won’t be enough to see off a Republic of Ireland side, who are currently in form albeit without a win.
Prediction: Gibraltar 1-4 Republic of Ireland
Result: Gibraltar 0-1 Republic of Ireland
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