Ireland v Qatar kicks off at 19:45 tonight, 12th October in the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. The match will be shown live on RTE 2, RTE Player, and Sky Sports Premier League Ireland.

Manager Stephen Kenny is now three games unbeaten, including his win over Azerbaijan on Saturday. Now that he has his first win and first competitive win, he will now want his first win at home.

In seven attempts, Kenny has not managed to triumph in the Aviva Stadium. His heavily changed squad will want to make their mark with a win today.

Qatar has now been joined by Germany as the first team to qualify for the next World Cup. They may be optimistic but manager Felix Sanchez will want them to start winning so that they will not be embarrassed at home.

Qatar have now gone five matches without a victory with losses to the USA and Serbia. They will play a strong team in hopes of scoring some goals.

These two countries are only recent opponents. In current history, Ireland has only faced Qatar once, in a friendly back in March. That day, the Boys in Green were disappointed to draw 1-1 even though the Qatari team dominated possession and chances.

Ireland are 4/6 to win, maybe use the Sky Bet sign up offer to back Robinson at 9/2 to score first.

Stephen Kenny's Ireland get their first competitive win pic.twitter.com/iADhzTJgnN

— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) October 9, 2021

Ireland v Qatar Probable Starting Teams

Ireland

Formation

4-3-3

Probable Starting 11

Kelleher (GK), Stevens, Collins, Egan, Christie, Cullen, Hourihane, Ogbene, McGrath, Parrott, Connolly.

Injuries / Suspensions

Coleman, Manning

Qatar

Formation

3-5-2

Probable Starting 11

Sheeb (GK), Fadlalla, Salman, Hisham, Ahmed, Hatem, Boudiaf, Abdulsalam, Miguel, Afif, Ali.

Injuries / Suspensions

None

CONFIRMED: Caoimhin Kelleher will make his first senior start for the Republic of Ireland in Tuesday night's friendly against Qatar. #awlive [sky]

Congratulations, Caoimhim pic.twitter.com/aGS2Ata9ZD

— Anfield Watch (@AnfieldWatch) October 11, 2021

Ireland v Qatar Betting

Ireland 3/4

Draw 23/10

Qatar 7/2

Score Prediction

Bar Ireland’s last victory, goals have been hard to come by. Qatar has been in worse form than the Irish with only two goals in five matches so do not expect this game to be full of goals. Kenny may lineup a weaker side to try out some new players so this game could go either way.

Expect the game to end 2-1 to Ireland.

The way @JeffHendrick92 looks at a football #COYBIG | #WeAre100 | #WeAreOne pic.twitter.com/RgqQWLUcin

— FAIreland (@FAIreland) October 11, 2021

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Ireland’s World Cup qualification begins in March with fans cautiously awaiting the commencement of the campaign.

It’s been a rough few months for the national side. Controversy surrounding a pre-match motivational video, no wins throughout 2020, the retirement of David McGoldrick in addition to Damien Duff and Alan Kelly stepping down from their roles in recent days have all contributed to a miserable period of time for Ireland.

The absence of David McGoldrick in particular could have a damaging effect on the team’s on-field performance.

Despite not being a natural goalscorer – or even an experienced international – McGoldrick proved himself as a key member of the squad over the past couple of years. His showing against Slovakia in October as well as his performances against Switzerland and Denmark in 2019 more than demonstrated his worth to the national team.

As luck would have it, McGoldrick is enjoying his best spell of form at club level for a long time since his international retirement. The striker has been the shining light in a torrid season for Sheffield United thus far.

He has 5 goal contributions in 16 games including a brace against Manchester United and a stunning backheel goal against Chelsea. Even more impressive, though, has been his all-around play. Just yesterday he was named man of the match against Newcastle after a string-pulling performance.

REPLACEMENTS?

McGoldrick’s retirement from international duty is further compounded by the lack of striking options available to Ireland at the minute.

Many Irish strikers playing at a high level are either inexperienced, out of form or lacking first team minutes.

Shane Long was Ireland’s go-to striker for years but his playing time at both club and international level has gradually decreased over the past couple of years. He still, of course, has plenty to offer but if he’s not getting first-team minutes Stephen Kenny may be reluctant to start the Tipp man in March given the magnitude of the games.

There are also plenty of young strikers coming through, some of which already have experience in the national side.

Adam Idah and Troy Parrott are the two most likely candidates to start up front in March. Both have had their injury problems this season but they’ve been given game time in the Championship when available which is more than can be said about a lot of Ireland’s other options.

Idah started the season strongly by scoring on the opening day but has been out injured since November. To add to his injury, Idah has also contracted COVID-19 over the past week or so. He’s due back in February so hopefully he can get some game time under his belt before the international break.

Parrott, on the other hand, has been starting for Millwall recently after a 2020 marred with injury/health issues. He is yet to find his scoring touch that he’s displayed previously at underage level, though. Saying that, he has been playing at an acceptable level. His first goal for the club could be just the thing needed for the Spurs loanee to get his season on track.

Michael Obafemi is another one which has been touted as a star of the future for a couple of years now. Despite an impressive 2019/20 campaign, he has only played 16 minutes of Premier League football this season. Obafemi was reportedly due to complete a loan move to Swansea this month but to his misfortune he suffered a muscle injury in training which resulted in the Welsh club ending their interest. Realistically, he may not even get selected for the senior squad. Stephen Kenny always preferred Idah and Parrott in the u21s and hasn’t called Obafemi up to any senior squad so far.

Kenny has an enormous task at hand in the upcoming campaign and his fortunes are only made worse by the lack of strikers available to him.

Is there anyone that can step up and fill the void left by David McGoldrick?

David McGoldrick announces his retirement from international football

The Football Association of Ireland would like to thank David for his fantastic service and wish him all the best for the future

https://t.co/ynNrU76RpS#COYBIG pic.twitter.com/0rDQ4OjN2I

— FAIreland (@FAIreland) November 4, 2020

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