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Republic of Ireland national football team
World Cup Qualifying - Europe | Group Stage
Mar 24, 2017 at 7.45pm UK
 
Wales national football team

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FT

Team News: Ireland make four changes for Wales visit

Martin O'Neill is forced into making four changes to Republic of Ireland's lineup for the visit of Wales, while the Dragons are able to name their first-choice XI

Martin O'Neill has made four changes to Republic of Ireland's starting lineup for the visit of Wales in this evening's crucial World Cup 2018 qualifier in Dublin.

The big news is that Everton midfielder James McCarthy starts for the hosts at the Aviva Stadium, despite carrying an injury of late, taking the place of Harry Arter in midfield.

John O'Shea and Richard Keogh come in for Ciaran Clark and Shane Duffy at the back, meanwhile, and there is also a place in the side for Stephen Ward in place of the suspended Robbie Brady.

In terms of the visitors, boss Chris Coleman has named what is considered to be his strongest XI for the first time since their memorable 3-1 win over Belgium in the last eight of Euro 2016.

That means a place in attack for leading marksman Gareth Bale, the scorer of four goals in four qualifiers this campaign, alongside Hal Robson-Kanu in a likely 5-3-2 formation.

Wales head into the game - which marks the midway point in Group D qualifying - sitting four points behind Ireland in the standings.

Victory for Serbia over Georgia elsewhere on Friday evening sees them climb to the top of the group, a point ahead of Ireland and now five in front of Wales.

Republic of Ireland: Randolph, Coleman, Keogh, O'Shea, Ward, McClean, Whelan, McCarthy, Hendrick, Walters, Long
Subs: Westwood, C. Doyle, McGeady, K. Doyle, Horgan, Christie, Egan, Hourihane, Meyler, Hayes, O'Dowda, Pearce

Wales: Hennessey, Gunter, Taylor, Davies, Chester, Williams, Allen, Robson-Kanu, Ramsey, Bale, Ledley
Subs: Ward, Fon Williams, Collins, Walsh, MacDonald, King, Richards, Edwards, Vokes, Wilson, Bradshaw, Woodburn

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Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill asks 'Is it bigger than a bread bin?' during his side's Euro 2016 qualifier with Germany.
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Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Germany Germany32107
Q Switzerland Switzerland31205
3 Hungary Hungary31023
4 Scotland flag Scotland30121

Group B

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Q Spain Spain33009
Q Italy Italy31114
3 Croatia Croatia30212
4 Albania national flag Albania30121

Group C

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Q England flag England31205
Q Denmark Denmark30303
Q Slovenia Slovenia30303
4 Serbia Serbia30212

Group D

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Q Austria Austria32016
Q France France31205
Q Netherlands Netherlands31114
4 Poland Poland30121

Group E

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Q Romania Romania31114
Q Belgium Belgium31114
Q Slovakia Slovakia31114
4 Ukraine Ukraine31114

Group F

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Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Turkey Turkey32016
Q Georgia Georgia31114
4 Czech Republic Czech Republic30121


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