Preview: Georgia -v- Rep of Ireland
Credit:
GEORGIA
Georgia host the Republic of Ireland on Sunday in the opening round of fixtures in Group D of the 2016 European Championship qualifiers.
Managed by former Newcastle United midfielder Temur Ketsbaia, the Georgians finished second from bottom with five points in a World Cup qualifying group containing France, Finland, Belarus and European champions Spain.
Their last outing was a 1-0 friendly defeat in early June to the United Arab Emirates that was played on neutral soil in Meyrin, Switzerland.
Fortunately for Ketsabia, he has the luxury of having a full complement of players to choose from and may give a debut to 26-year-old FC Chikura Sachkhere defender Giorgi Rekhviashvili.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
Ireland will be hoping they can get their bid for a place in the French hosted tournament off to a flying start by emerging with all three points from Tbilisi.
It would seem that Martin O'Neill's side, who come into the game on the back a 2-0 friendly win over Oman on Wednesday, will be aiming to take a play-off spot as runners-up to group favourites Germany with Poland likely to be their nearest rivals for the aforementioned position.
With a spell of extremely hot weather gripping the Georgian capital in recent weeks, it is likely the Boys in Green will be forced to contend with somewhat unfamiliar conditions when they take to the field at the Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena. However, O'Neill says the conditions are something he is ready to compensate for by making necessary adjustments.
''I would imagine if it's going to be hot, as they say it is, then you might have to make obvious adjustments,'' he told rte.ie .
''It is played in the evening time, but temperatures might still be up.
''I've never been to Georgia, but obviously the experiences of before with people I'm listening to say it can still remain pretty hot in the evening time.
''All of those things will bear some consideration when we come to Sunday.''
The former Celtic boss will be forced to plan without the services of Wigan winger James McClean who misses out with an ankle injury whilst the absence of Kieren Westwood due to tonsillitis means the number one jersey will be given either to David Forde or the recently returned Shay Given.
REFEREE: Kevin Blom (Netherlands)
MATCH STATS
The last time the Republic of Ireland met Georgia was in a friendly last June which they convincingly won on a scoreline of 4-0.
The Boys in Green have won all five of their meetings with Georgia.
Sunday's visit to Tbilisi will mark the third successive European Championships qualifying campaign Ireland have opened away from home.
BETTING
Georgia 9/4; draw 21/10; Ireland 11/8
PREDICTION
A 1-0 win for Ireland
Georgia:
Injured: None
Doubtful: None
Republic of Ireland:
Injured: James McClean (ankle), Kieren Westwood (tonsillitis)
Doubtful: None
