Nations League Preview: Republic of Ireland -v- Denmark

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

Martin O’Neill’s side were comfortably beaten by Wales back in September and will be looking to seek revenge on Denmark after the 5-1 hammering Age Hareide’s side gave to the Boys in Green in the World Cup playoff.

Ireland have only won one of their last six games scoring five and conceding fourteen in the process something which looks bleaks heading into Saturday night’s must-win game against the Danes.

Speaking to the media this week O’Neill said he’s letting his team discuss what went on last November when these two sides last met.

“It happened some time ago but if there is something that you want to put right again and you have a motivation for that, so be it.

“Will we discuss the game again? I think we have discussed it a few times as its Denmark, the same opposition, there is no reason not to mention it.”

O’Neill will be happy that McClean has recovered from a broken arm to be available for selection again while Shane Long trained the full session on Thursday with the Tipperary born striker struggling with an ankle injury. Stephen Ward is out with a knee problem along with Captain Seamus Coleman who could not shake off a foot injury in time for the game.

DENMARK

Age Hareide’s side will be looking to repeat the same feat as they did a year ago as a Christian Eriksen hat-trick sent the Danes on their way to the World Cup in Russia over the summer beating Ireland in a play-off.

Denmark’s leading players had a dispute over commercial rights last month with Hareide’s picking players from the third and fourth tiers of Danish football for the friendly against Slovakia but was resolved a day later for the game against Wales which they won giving them a fantastic start in the Nations League.

Sadly for Hareide Eriksen, his star man, will not be available for selection on Saturday night as the Tottenham midfielder is recovering from an abdominal injury.

Speaking to Canal 9 in Denmark Hareide said: "Such an injury can be chronic, and it is true that Tottenham also fears that.”

"It is doubtful whether we will lure him to Dublin and make him play. I do not think that Tottenham is particularly interested in that."

For more reaction from the Danish camp  see Denmark wary of Ireland revenge mission.

MATCH FACTS

The two teams have met fifteen times going back as far as 1956 with Ireland winning 5 and Denmark winning 4 along with 6 draws.

They were both drawn in the same group for qualification for the 1994 World Cup with both matches ending in draws; 0-0 and 1-1.

The first game was played in 1956 between the two sides with Ireland running out 2-1 winners.

BETTING

Ireland: 11/5; Draw: 2/1; Denmark: 6/4

PREDICTION

Ireland 1-0 Denmark

Republic of Ireland

Injured:  Stephen Ward (Knee), Seamus Coleman (Foot)

Doubtful: None

Suspended:  None

Denmark

Injured: Christian Eriksen (Abdominal)

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None