James McClean v Chris Gunter
None of seven players on a yellow card picked up another booking on Friday night meaning Chris Coleman doesn’t have to deal with any suspensions when selecting his side to face Ireland.
And it’s the same for Martin O’Neill, possibly mainly thanks to the fact that previous offenders James McClean and Robbie Brady were suspended against Moldova in Dublin.
That pair will be expected to return to the starting line-up and the West Brom winger’s duel with the Welsh full-back will central to the drama.
McClean was in full headless-chicken mode against Serbia in his last appearance. It was a performance that epitomised what he brings to the table; plenty of aggression and effort, but a serious lack of discipline and so-called match intelligence at times.
This may well be a fiery sequel after the ugly clash in in which Seamus Coleman had his leg broken.
McClean will have to keep the head and use it to beat his man on that wing.
James McClean first goalscorer 9-1
The midfield battle
The best midfielder in the stadium may be sitting next to Martin O’Neill on Monday night, but the battle in the centre of the park will go a long way to deciding who progresses from this group.
The Welsh will pack the middle of the Cardiff City Stadium with the likes of Aaron Ramsey, Joe Ledley and Joe Allen — a team unit that’s served them very well over the past couple of campaigns.
They are usually designed to simply arm their WMD, Gareth Bale, however and with the Real Madrid galactico (seemingly) absent, they’ll have to do it themselves.
David Meyler — skipper against Georgia, for the first time — will surely retain his place and could be joined by the likes of James McCarthy, Harry Arter or perhaps Glenn Whelan. It’ll be a well-populated and busy bit of real estate.
Ireland to score last goal 6/4
Shane Long v Ashley Williams
The Ireland forward ‘can’t buy a goal’ as he put it after another frustrating evening on Friday.
The Tipperary man missed a couple of good chances to break his months-long duck for club and country while strike partner Daryl Murphy bagged two.
But there was plenty to be encouraged about as he got in good positions and looked a lot more in the game than recent Ireland run-outs, thanks to more support from Murphy and the midfield.
Whether or not he gets the nod to lead the line in Cardiff remains to be seen, but he’s given Williams plenty to think about in various clashes in the Premier League. The Everton defender is not playing well while Long has popped up with big goals in the green jersey in the past, of course.
Perhaps, Murphy has leapfrogged Long for the starting position but we’ll surely see the latter at some stage.
Exactly one goal in the second half 6/4
Shane Duffy v Sam Vokes
If we concede a goal, you can safely assume we won’t be heading for the playoffs. When Ireland win games away from home against proper sides it’s not by scoring more than once.
So our centre back pairing of, presumably, Duffy and Ciaran Clark, will be required to channel McGrath, McCarty and Moran.
Sam Vokes is in possession of the No 9 jersey for Wales these days with Euro 2016 hero Hal Robson Kanu coming off the bench usually in the second half.
Keeping both him and the livewire Vokes quiet is top of the to-do list on the away team dressing-room whiteboard.
Ireland 1-0 8/1
Martin O’Neill v Chris Coleman
This game be more of a pinball machine than a chess board – both managers know they need a win essentially, to make sure they first secure second place in the group and then one of the best runner up positions.
As Clinton Morrison says, this’ll be a proper ‘British’ derby.
But there’s plenty of scope for each manager to stretch their legs tactically. Or more importantly perhaps this time out, how good of a motivational and preparatory job the coaches do over this short turnaround will be hugely important.
Chris Coleman has masterminded three wins on the trot — without conceding a goal.
O’Neill, though, led Leicester to two League Cup wins and knows how to talk an underdog outfit into going to a loser-leaves-town situation and getting the job done.
The old dog for the hard road.
Ireland 5/2
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