Serbia welcome Republic of Ireland to Stadion Rajko Mitic in their opening Group A match in UEFA Qualifying for 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Both teams are in a tough group containing Euro 2016 champions, Portugal who are likely to progress as group winners meaning that Serbia and Ireland are facing an early six-pointer in the race for second.
Team News
Serbia have no fresh injury concerns to report as new manager, Dragan Stojkovic rings the changes amongst his squad, with Nemanja Matic and Luka Milivojevic both retiring from international duty and Aleksandr Kolarov amongst those snubbed.
Republic of Ireland will be without Caoimhin Kelleher, Kevin Long, Conor Hourihane and Callum O’Dowda after the quartet all withdrew from the squad with various injuries.
Blackburn’s Darragh Lenihan has consequently been called up as a replacement along with Conor Coventry, who has been promoted from the U21s to senior squad for the first time.
Stat Attack
- Serbia are unbeaten in two previous World Cup qualifiers against Republic of Ireland (W1, D1), which came in Qualifying for 2018 World Cup.
- Republic of Ireland have drawn both previous World Cup Qualifier trips to Serbia (D2), drawing 0-0 in August 2012 then 2-2 in September 2016.
- In four meetings which featured goals, both Serbia and Republic of Ireland have opened the scoring twice.
- Luka Jovic has scored three goals in Serbia’s last two home matches in all competitions.
- Ireland have failed to score in their last four away matches in all competitions.
Prediction
2020 certainly wasn’t Serbia’s finest as they missed out on qualifying for this summer’s Euros but despite defensive fragility, they have managed well up front with 12 goals across six of their eight matches.
Ireland meanwhile failed to win at all in 2020 with no goals in their last seven on top of inconsistent performances, although their pressing play was their biggest strength during those games which they need to build on up front if want goals and a result here.
Stojkovic’s arrival however should reinvigorate Serbia and if they can sort out their issues at the back, I can just see one result because Ireland just don’t look like a team capable of getting anything here with a squad largely lacking goals.
Prediction: Serbia 2-0 ROI
Result: Serbia 3-2 ROI
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