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Republic of Ireland – Denmark (World Cup 2018)

After a goalless draw at home, the Republic of Ireland returns home to take on Denmark on Tuesday at the Aviva Stadium, in Dublin, for the second leg of the 2018 World Cup play-off. Republic of Ireland managed to get here without suffering goals in the first leg, but now needs to pull off a much better performance than it did on Danish soil. Denmark were stronger in the first leg, but could not score, something that they will try to change this Tuesday in Ireland.

Republic of Ireland arrives here after a goalless draw in the first leg of the 2018 World Cup qualifying play-off, now having the home factor to help them in their bid to qualify for the first World Cup since 2002. Rep. of Ireland are not a national team with much history in World Cups, having only participated in three editions of the competition, in 1990, 1994 and 2002. In the first leg against the Danes, the Green Army were dominated during most of the game and did not managed to get great goalscoring opportunities, something they must change here at all cost.

From the called up players, all of them represent teams from the first and second tire of English football. Ireland have only won one of their last four home matches, failing to beat Serbia, Austria and Wales in that period. Besides that, Ireland have only scored more than once at home in five of their last 19 matches.

In their last 5 matches, Republic of Ireland has a record of 2 victories, 2 draws and 1 defeat. This sequence of results started with a 1-1 draw against Georgia. This result was followed by a 0-1 defeat against Serbia, a 2-0 victory against Moldavia, a 0-1 win against Wales, and in their last match, a 0-0 draw against Denmark.

Probable Lineup: Randolph – Christie, Duffy, Clark and Ward – Brady, Hendrick, Meyler, Arter and McClean – Murphy.

Denmark, on the other hand, did not get better than a draw in the first leg and did not make the home factor count, thus seeing the decision of the qualifier postponed to hostile ground and will have to win, or draw with goals on the scoreboard, to qualify at the end of the 90 minutes. The Danes have more appearances in World Cups, and if they get to qualify, this will be their first World Cup since 2010, where they did not go beyond the group stage.

The Danish Dynamite have a squad of very talented and well-known players, such as the goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, the defenders Kjaer, Vestergaard, Durmisi, among others, the midfielders Eriksen, Schone, Delaney, Sisto, among others, and forwards like Jorgensen, Poulsen and Bendtner. Denmark were the dominant team during the first leg, but failed in finalizing scoring chances, something that will have to change here. Denmark are unbeaten in 10 matches but six of those games have ended in a draw. Besides that, Äge Hareide’s side are unbeaten in five away matches, winning their last three.

In their last 5 matches, Denmark has a record of 3 victories and 2 draws. This sequence of results started with a 4-0 win over Poland. This result was followed by a 1-4 victory against Armenia, a 0-1 victory against Montenegro, a 1-1 draw against Romania, and in their last match, a 0-0 draw against Republic of Ireland.

Probable Lineup: Schmeichel – Ankersen, Kjaer, Vestergaard e Larsen – Eriksen, Delaney e Kvist – Poulsen, Jorgensen e Sisto.

There have been 3 direct clashes since the last time they met, in 1994, with the Republic of Ireland winning 2 and drawing 1.

This time it is to expect a more offensive approach from both teams, although a more defensive game may be expected during the 1st half, with both teams concerned with their defensive organization, and with both sides risking more in the 2nd half.