Euro 2016 Qualifier Preview: Ireland -v- Georgia

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND          

Irish hopes of qualification were handed a huge boost courtesy of Georgian efforts last Friday. Effectively Georgia’s surprise win over Scotland has allowed Ireland to steal into third spot but now the Boys in Green must put their gratitude aside and see dismantling Georgia as a must win match to have any hope of progressing.

Georgia’s fine recent form was described as a ‘renaissance’ by Irish manager Martin O’Neill speaking in Abbotsown at Sunday’s pre-match press conference. Ireland’s qualifying hopes were put in their own hands once again with results over the weekend. But Martin O’Neil was insistent that his perspective hasn’t changed and that he was always presuming to try and win the remaining three matches in the group.

O Neill told the press assembled on Sunday that “we can’t get ahead of ourselves. We have games against Germany and Poland and this tough game tomorrow night against a resurgent Georgian side who come here with plenty of confidence.

“We are in there fighting. We were in there anyway even if Scotland had won but we are still in the mix. We have to try and win tomorrow night. I can’t even consider the games in October until we get points on the board. We have to win – that has to be our total focus.”

O’ Neill was pleased with the impact that some of the new additions to the squad have made. Cyrus Christie’s fine performance against Gibraltar certainly increases competition for defensive places but it looks like Seamus Coleman’s return to fitness could see him start tomorrow.

“Seamus has done a little bit today and is feeling much much better and it looks like he is going to be okay. Cyrus did brilliantly for us, getting the important first goal. If Seamus is fit, Seamus will play. Cyrus has a great future ahead of him but Seamus is a quality player."

GEORGIA

Kakhaber Tskhadadze witnessed his first win as Georgian manager on Friday and will be hoping he can celebrate his birthday with another promising performance against the Boys in Green. Although Georgia’s qualification is something of a lost cause, despite their win over Scotland on Friday, he’ll be keen to get the Irish hoodoo off his nation’s record ahead of the world cup.

Ireland may have the impetus of qualification hopes going into this game but Georgia will be just happy to upset Ireland’s 100%  international record against them. In six meetings Ireland have won all six. Two more competitive fixtures loom on the horizon as the FIFA World Cup draw has paired them together one more.

Last time out, it took a brace and a 90^th minute winner from Aidan McGeady to win it for Ireland in Tbilisi. With the Scotland win under their belt, Georgia are going to feel they can get something from this match.

Versus Scotland, Georgia’s fine defensive efforts restricted the Scots who didn’t manage to get a single shot on target. In the first half Georgia certainly looked the better of the two teams and received their just rewards when Valeri Kazaishvili’s half-volley on 37 minutes gave the Georgians the lead.

It proved to be the winner and threw the race for qualifying sports wide open in Group D but anything short of a win will negate the fortuitous results of the weekend and Georgia will be anything but pushovers under Tskhadadze.

The game is an 7:45pm kick-off and will be aired live on RTÉ2.

You can read Martin O'Neill (here) and Robbie Keane (here) for their full thoughts on the game.

Referee: István Vad (Hungary)

MATCH STATS

Robbie Keane is the fifth highest scorer in international European footballing history, one goal behind fourth placed Gerd Müller. He is three goals shy of entering the world top ten.

Last week, Georgia picked up only their second win in their Euro campaign by doing what Ireland could not, beat Scotland. Their only previous group win came against minnows the Faroe Islands.

2-1 has been the most common result in meetings between these sides, Ireland have won four of the past five meetings by that scoreline.

BETTING

Ireland 4/8; Draw 3/1; Georgia 13/2 .

PREDICTION

Ireland 2 – 1 Georgia

Republic of Ireland

Injured: Daryl Murphy (calf), Paul McShane (hip/back), Keiren Westwood (kidney).

Doubtful: Jeff Hendrick (ankle), James McCarthy (knee).

Suspended: None.

Georgia

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.