Tonight Republic of Ireland vs Serbia in a 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifier
Republic of Ireland welcome Serbia to the Aviva Stadium looking to end their three-game winless streak. The visitors, meanwhile, made it two wins from two games last time out and will be looking to keep the ball rolling. Ireland failed to return to winning ways on Saturday as they fought hard for a 1-1 draw against Azerbaijan. Emin Makhmudov gave Azerbaijan the lead on the stroke of halftime, but Shane Duffy came up trumps for Ireland as he restored parity with three minutes remaining on the clock. This followed a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Portugal, where Cristiano RobKNOBoldo scored twice in stoppage time. Ireland have picked up just one point from their four games in the qualifiers and are currently one place above rock-bottom Azerbaijan.
Meanwhile, Serbia continued their brilliant run in the qualifiers as they cruised to a 4-1 win over Luxembourg on Saturday. In a one-sided affair, Serbia raced to a two-goal lead through a brace from Aleksandar Mitrović before Oliver Thill pulled one back for Luxembourg. However, an own goal from Maxime Chanot restored Serbia’s two-goal lead before Nikola Milenković put the icing on the cake in the 96th minute.
Dragan Stojković’s men have picked up three wins and one draw from their four games and are currently at the top of Group A of the World Cup qualifiers, level on 10 points with Portugal.
Republic of Ireland vs Serbia Head-To-Head
Serbia head into tonights game as the superior side in the history of this fixture, claiming three wins from their six previous meetings. Ireland are yet to taste victory against the hosts, while three games have ended in draws.
Republic of Ireland Form Guide (all competitions): D-W-D-L-D
Serbia Form Guide (all competitions): W-D-L-W-W
Team News
Republic of Ireland
The Republic of Ireland will be without the services of Dara O'Shea, who is recovering from injury. Shane Long is also in isolation after testing positive for COVID-19.
Injured: Dara O’Shea
Suspended: None
COVID-19: Shane Long
Serbia
Fulham forward Aleksandar Mitrović is a doubt for the visitors after coming off with an injury midway through the game against Luxembourg.
Injured: None
Suspended: None
Doubtful: Aleksandar Mitrović
Predicted formation and starting lineups
Republic of Ireland Predicted XI (3-4-3): Gavin Bazunu; Andrew Omobamidele, Shane Duffy, John Egan; Seamus Coleman, Jeff Hendrick, Josh Cullen, Matt Doherty; Jayson Molumby, Aaron Connolly; Adam Idah
Serbia Predicted XI (3-4-3): Predrag Rajkovic; Nikola Milenkovic, Matija Nastacic, Strahinja Pavlovic; Veljko Birmancevic, Nemanja Gudelj, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Darko Lazovic; Luka Jovic, Dusan Vlahovic, Dusan Tadic
Bulls Prediction The Republic of Ireland head into the game following several unconvincing performances and are without a win in their last three. Serbia are unbeaten in the qualifiers and I predict they will keep the ball rolling and edge closer to a place in the showpiece tournament. Final Score: Republic of Ireland 0-2 Serbia
Poland going after Matty Cash who just about qualifies for them. That says it all. International teams know success breeds success.
There is loads of talent in the Prem and EPL with an ROI link. Time to go after them!
If Wales can keep Giggs, Bale, Ramsey and others when England is calling then no reason why ROI cannot do the same.
Of them all Declan Rice shafted ROI played 3 senior games with us before deciding he was a lion. For me i dont get how that is allowed at all, ok youths you can make an argument for player development at such a young age but once any player goes beyond the age of 21 then anyone playing a SENIOR international should then be prevented in moving to another country/team.
That means the like of Messi could still "transfer" to Italy if he thought Argentina wouldnt win a WC and many other players could use the grandparents rule when it suits.
tbf BB Bamford didnt want to play for the republic he sees himself as English and that was his international path set. Grealish played for Ireland right up youth internationals as did Rice but when push came to shove they both saw an opportunity to play for a "better" international team in England and took their chance in making that squad, not the way id carry on but you win some you lose some at those age groups. Also you gotta remember if you are an Enlish international then your transfer fee / wage demands are vastly increased compared to being an irish or lativian international, so imho those two went for the money.
Conor Coady has been playing for England since u16 so he was never going to swop over and likewise Conor Gallagher played for english youths and won an u17 world cup medal with England so again why would he take up the green jersey?
Didnt know Mings qualified to play for ROI
And to think ROI could have had: Bamford, Grealish, Conor Gallagher, Rice, Phillips, Coady and Mings in their team if they went after them early enough and used the maternal grandparents rule.
May not be 100% right but a successful ROI would get more kids playing and the more that play and aspire to playing for the country the more successful ROI would be in the future.