Ciaran Clark v Philipp Hosiner
Giovanni Trapattoni has earmarked the Austria Wien striker as Ireland’s main threat tonight and it’s no surprise given the season the 23-year-old striker has had. He may only have two senior caps to his name but Hosiner has brought his club form, where he sits top of the domestic league goal charts with 27 goals, to the international stage with a double against the Faroe Islands on Friday.
Clark has been growing in his partnership with John O’Shea but will have to bring his ‘A’ game if Ireland are to keep another clean sheet.
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James McCarthy v David Alaba
A genuine start in the making, 20-year-old David Alaba is a regular fixture in the Bayern Munich team at full-back but tends to step into midfield for Austria. Although he take up a deep position, Alaba is full of energy and has an eye for goal (he’s scored two in the current qualifying campaign) so McCarthy and fellow midfielder Glenn Whelan could have their work cut out tonight.
Shane Long v Sebastian Prodl
Although he didn’t feature against the Faroes, Werder Bremen defender Sebastian Prodl is set to start at the Aviva Stadium. Shane Long got in behind the Swedish defence a couple of times but was wasteful in his finishing. The West Brom man, aided by the physical threat of Conor Sammon, will be looking to find the back of the net in a green shirt for the first time since September.
