Must not lose for Ireland
After being crushed by Wales in their opening up Nations League fixture, the Republic of Ireland have the opportunity to even up the group standings.
Ireland
The Green Army were clearly missing some key players at the Cardiff City stadium at the start of September, culminating in their heavy loss. Yet, even with the injury picture better than it was, it’s hard to see Ireland making a mark on this competition with the pool of players available to Martin O’Neill at present.
The current crop fall way below the ability and profile of player to have pulled on the famous green jersey in recent times. When you think past Ireland managers have had the likes of Robbie Keane, Niall Quinn, Roy Keane, Damien Duff and Shay Given to choose from, O’Neill is more than up against it relying on a group of whom the majority play down the leagues.
I can see Ireland taking a share of the spoils
Robinson, O’Dowda, Hourihane, Hendrick and Christie are all solid enough footballers but Ireland are screaming out for that bit of star quality that can turn a match on its head, a bit like Bales does for Wales, a country not too dissimilar in size to Ireland. Until then, it looks to be an uphill struggle for whoever is in charge.
Of course, these two met not so long ago to determine who’d go to the World Cup. The Irish spirit came to the fore during the first leg in Denmark but as spoken about, the lack of quality eventually told in the return game with the Dane eventually running away with it 5-1. That night it was the Christian Eriksen show. With the Spurs man unlikely to play through injury this time around, I can see Ireland taking a share of the spoils. But they certainly won’t be claiming all three points.
Denmark
It was hard what to make of Denmark’s performance at the World Cup in the summer. They tend to appear a side capable of making an impact but they seem to lack that killer instinct needed to edge close fought games against the better teams. Their Last 16 penalty defeat to Croatia via a penalty shootout could’ve clearly gone their way but they can have few complaints going out when they did.
Talisman Eriksen wasn’t exactly at his best in Russia but his two goals proved the difference against Wales in Denmark’s opening game of this format. However, his anticipated absence here is likely to see creativity in short supply and the Danes struggling to break down a stubborn Ireland backline desperate to give the home crowd something to cheer about.
Every man and his dog is aware of Eriksen’s capabilities and how much of a lesser side Denmark are without him and I fully expect this to prove crucial at the Aviva. They certainly won’t be as devastating as they were almost a year ago, a draw likely to be viewed as a decent result all things considered.
Match Tip
Ireland are lacking quality in so many areas; I really see them struggling in this group and also to qualify for the Euros in 2020.
Having said this, there’s no doubt they’ll remain committed under the guidance of O’Neill and Keane and this is why I don’t see them being beaten on Saturday, especially by a Danish side likely to be nowhere near as effective without their talisman.
