Republic of Ireland -v- Austria

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

Giovanni Trapattoni’s side will be hoping for a victory in this crucial World Cup qualifier to keep on track their chances of making it to Brazil in 2014.

A scoreless draw against Sweden in the Friends’ Arena in Stockholm on Friday means that three points is vital in this clash with Austria.

Ireland will be without captain Robbie Keane after he was ruled out with a calf injury on Sunday. Left-back Marc Wilson is also a doubt, despite being named in the squad, meaning that Stephen Kelly will be on standby to take his place.

Former UCD striker Conor Sammon will replace Robbie Keane in the starting eleven, as he is set to lead the line alongside Shane Long.

There is also one change in the midfield to the four that started in Stockholm on Friday as Glenn Whelan returns from injury to replace Paul Green.

Trapattoni is well aware of the threat that Austria will pose to Ireland and he sees centre forward Philipp Hosiner as being the biggest danger. “Janko, I know very well his quality,” Trapattoni said, “but I think Hosiner is a little bit faster and similar to Long. I think he can give us more problems.”

The Italian is certainly going for the win on Tuesday night but he is wary of the fact that there are still five games to go after this one. “We must try and win this game but we must also play with intelligence because there are many games still to come before qualification is finished. The fixture calendar means that we will be in contention until the last game, I think.”

AUSTRIA

Austria come to the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday night full of confidence on the back of their 6-0 victory over the Faroe Islands on Friday.

They are currently level on points with Ireland in Group C meaning that a win would be a pivotal result for them.

Austrian manager, Marcel Koller, decided not to take the line of Giovanni Trappatoni at his press conference on Monday, leaving the naming of his side until the day of the match.

Koller however will most likely make one change to the side he chose on Friday, by replacing Veli Kavlak (who played in the centre of midfield on Friday) with Mainz midfielder Julian Baumgartlinger. Bologna right back Gyorgy Garics is also expected to be fit.

The Austrian boos is expecting a physical battle against the Irish on Tuesday night. Speaking at a press conference in the Aviva Stadium on Monday, he said: “It will be an intensive battle. We are prepared, we have to be prepared. We know Ireland are better than the Faroe Islands in defence. They have a very strong defence. It is our goal to get through that line of defence. This is what we will be trying to do.”

Referee: Marijo Strahonja (Croatia)

MATCH STATS

Ireland have played Austria six times before Tuesday night, all in European Championship qualifiers. On four occasions Austria have come out victors, with Ireland prevailing once, and the other tie finishing in a draw.

Austrian striker Philipp Hosnier has scored 27 goals in 26 games for Austria Wien this season. Impressive form.

The Ireland side that will start the game tomorrow will include five former League of Ireland players. They are: David Forde, Seamus Coleman, James McClean, Conor Sammon and Shane Long.

BETTING

Ireland 11/10; Draw 9/4, Austria 11/4.

PREDICTION

With the side Trapattoni has set out I can’t see Ireland winning this. A 1-1 draw.