What the team should be:
Goalkeeper
There is a legitimate argument to start Keiren Westwood in goals. He has played 14 league matches this season for his club, whereas Darren Randolph has yet to feature for West Ham in the Premier League since the start of the campaign, and he has had to be solely content with Europa League and EFL Cup action. Nevertheless, Randolph has impressed in the limited time he has been given at club level, while the Bray native has also never let Ireland down when called upon. Dropping him now would be a big call for such an important game.
Defenders
The full-back slots seem pretty straightforward. Seamus Coleman is effectively guaranteed to start at right-back barring injury. Similarly, with possible candidates Stephen Ward and Cyrus Christie injured, Robbie Brady looks a dead cert for left-back with no obvious alternatives. The Norwich star has struggled in the position before, especially at club level this season, with his defensive inadequacies at times overshadowing his attacking prowess. Nonetheless, both Brady and Ireland in general looked much better when he reverted to the role out in Serbia.
The centre-back slots are less clear cut. Ciaran Clark and Shane Duffy both started in the most recent qualifier away to Moldova, however John O’Shea and Richard Keogh have plenty of experience at international level. Of the two who played in Moldova, Duffy in particular looked unconvincing, making a costly error for the hosts’ goal. That said, the Derry native has done relatively well at club level, playing in all but one of Brighton’s Championship matches, with Chris Hughton’s side currently second in the Championship. Moreover, dropping the 24-year-old for an elder statesman like O’Shea or an inexperienced player (such as Andy Boyle or Alex Pearce) might be viewed as a regressive step and would surely be a blow to the player’s confidence.
Midfield
Probably the toughest area for Martin O’Neill in terms of selection calls. Of the five spots likely to be designated to the area, two players seem almost certain to start — Jeff Hendrick and James McClean, who have been favourites under O’Neill for a considerable period. For the remaining three slots, there are probably six viable contenders – Glenn Whelan (likely), Aiden McGeady (possible), Harry Arter (possible), Wes Hoolahan (possible), David Meyler (outside chance) and Callum O’Dowda (outside chance). Daryl Horgan would be a popular choice, but O’Neill is not really in the habit of throwing uncapped players in at the deep end.
The fact that it is an away qualifier against one of the toughest sides in the group will come into the Irish manager’s thinking when he sits down to pick his side. That means the popular Wes Hoolahan may well be omitted, as he was against Serbia and Georgia, while there likely will be room for both Glenn Whelan and Harry Arter. Aiden McGeady, meanwhile, who is a long-term favourite of O’Neill’s, is arguably in a better position now that he’s getting regular game time on loan at Preston in the Championship, even if he is just coming back from injury.
Hendrick and Arter sitting, with Hoolahan, McClean and one of Horgan or McGeady is the more bold attack-minded selection that would prove popular with most fans, though it seems likely O’Neill will opt for the insurance of an extra defensive midfielder in Whelan, with Hoolahan the most likely man to miss out if previous Ireland selections are anything to go by.
Attack
It would be a major surprise if anyone other than Jon Walters started up front for Ireland on Saturday. David McGoldrick, Kevin Doyle and Adam Rooney are the only alternative out-and-out forwards in the squad, though O’Neill has briefly experimented with playing James McClean as the main attacker during his tenure. Yet none of the straight alternatives to Walters even made the final Euro 2016 squad.
Rooney is uncapped at international level, McGoldrick has made just four appearances (none of which have been competitive) and Doyle last played a competitive fixture when coming off the bench in the 7-0 win over Gibraltar in October 2014.
Therefore, any selection other than the Stoke forward up top would be a major surprise. Were Martin O’Neill to defy expectations though and pick Walters out wide, Doyle’s experience would probably give him the edge over others in the squad in the manager’s eyes.
Predicted starting XI:
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