International Friendly Preview: Republic of Ireland -v- England

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

Ireland welcome England to the Aviva Stadium for a hotly anticipated warm-up match, in preparation for the crucial Scotland qualifier on Saturday week.  No doubt everyone will be looking forward to a much more exciting affair than when the last time these two sides met, in a 1-1 draw at Wembley in May 2013.

Ireland will want to win the game, or at least draw, but most importantly come through it unscathed in terms of injuries as well. A win would provide a timely confidence boost ahead of the Tartan Army clash.

The majority of Martin O’Neill’s squad gathered in Malahide last Monday, with the likes of Paul McShane, Darren Randolph and Robbie Keane all meeting up with their international teammates later on in the week.

Extratime.ie have been located out in Gannon Park all week and when Roy Keane spoke with the assembled press he stressed the importance of the next seven days.

“I think it's a really good game (against England) for us before the Scotland match. I think there'll be a good edge to it for a friendly. The feeling we've got the last few days is that the players know there's obviously places up for grabs. There's a lot to play for on Sunday, definitely.

“I'm working with the players, enjoying that. The priority this week, like I keep saying, is to try and get results against England and obviously the qualifier against Scotland, which we're all looking forward to. Can't wait.”

Republic Of Ireland Squad

Goalkeepers: David Forde (Milwall), Shay Given (Aston Villa), Keiren Westwood (Sheffield Wednesday), Darren Randolph (Birmingham City).
 

Defenders: Richard Keogh (Derby County), Marc Wilson (Stoke City), Seamus Coleman (Everton), Cyrus Christie (Derby County), John O'Shea (Sunderland), Alex Pearce (Reading), Paul McShane (Hull City), Stephen Ward (Burnley).

Midfielders: James McCarthy (Everton), Jeff Hendrick (Derby County), Harry Arter (Bournemouth), Glenn Whelan (Stoke City), Aiden McGeady (Everton), James McClean (Wigan Athletic), Robbie Brady (Hull City), Stephen Quinn (Hull City), David Meyler (Hull City), Wes Hoolahan (Norwich City).

Fowards: Robbie Keane (L.A. Galaxy), Shane Long (Southampton), Daryl Murphy (Ipswich Town), Jon Walters (Stoke City), David McGoldrick (Ipswich Town).

ENGLAND

England go into this game with absolutely no pressure at all. They aren’t preparing for a crucial qualifier and will be expected to beat the Boys in Green.

These occasions should be for both the fans and players to enjoy alike and with a few new faces in Roy Hodgson’s latest England squad there will be one or two players out to impress.

Charlie Austin and Jamie Vardy have worked their way up from Poole Town and Stocksbridge Park Steels, respectively, in England’s non-league to being in the England squad.

They are a great story and both players are aware of the inspiration they provide to the vast quantity of players in the lower leagues dreaming of making the step to the next level.

Austin told thefa.com: "People from the lower leagues are still dreaming they can make the step up to play professionally and then play for the national team.

"I believe that people below us are looking at me and Jamie and see that it can be done. Me and Jamie coming here gives people the opportunity if they work as hard as they can and achieve their dreams."

England Squad

Goalkeepers Robert Green (Queens Park Rangers), Joe Hart (Manchester City), Tom Heaton (Burnley).

Defenders Ryan Bertrand (Southampton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Nathaniel Clyne (Southampton), Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Phil Jones (Manchester United), Chris Smalling (Manchester United).

Midfielders Ross Barkley (Everton), Tom Cleverley (Manchester United), Fabian Delph (Aston Villa), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Adam Lallana (Liverpool), James Milner (Manchester City), Raheem Sterling (Liverpool), Andros Townsend (Tottenham Hotspur), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal).

Forwards: Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Danny Welbeck (Arsenal), Jamie Vardy (Leicester City), Charlie Austin (QPR).

Referee: Damir Skomina (SVN)

MATCH FACTS

Ireland have played England 15 times in total winning only twice and shipping 20 goals in the process. They did win the most crucial meeting most famously though, in the European Championships in Stuttgart in 1988.

Whilst Ireland have only won twice, England have only mustered five victories themselves since the first meeting in 1946 at Dalymount Park. The sell-out Aviva crowd will be hoping that both teams can be a bit more adventurous than recording a ninth draw between the sides.

BETTING

Ireland 11/4; Draw 9/4; England 21/20.

PREDICTION

Ireland 1-3 England

Republic of Ireland

Injured: None

Doubtful: None

Suspensions: None

England

Injured: Ryan Mason of Tottenham Hotspur was originally in the squad but picked up a knock on Friday and has returned home. Aston Villa loanee and FA Cup finalist, Tom Cleverley of Manchester United, replaced him. The squad has no other injury concerns.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.