Ireland's fight to reach the EURO 2016 finals in France comes down to a single game against Bosnia and Herzegovina tonight at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
Ireland take a slight advantage into the match after grabbing an away goal in the Bosnian fog but there are a lot of key encounters in tonight’s game, which will most likely determine the outcome.
Here are some of the key battles to look out for at Lansdowne Road:
Glenn Whelan v Miralem Pjanic
The Ireland midfielder had one eye on the Bosnia playmaker throughout the game on Friday but Pjanic proved a tricky opponent to pin down, dropping back to get on the ball inside his own half.
The Roma midfielder then used his wide players wisely and was able to drift into space further up the field, as seen early in the game when a back-tracking Whelan slipped in the box allowing Pjanic space on the edge of the box with a clear path to goal – luckily for Ireland, his well-hit half-volley flew over the bar.
Whelan should have a clearer idea how to deal with Pjanic tonight and might find his opponent further up the field, which may prove easier to marshal. Otherwise, the Ireland midfielder needs to ensure communication amongst his midfield is crystal clear, with someone close at all times. Pjanic showed glimpses of why he is rated so highly on Friday and will be keen to improve on his own performance tonight.
Marc Wilson v Edin Visca
Visca proved Bosnia’s main threat on Friday night with attack after attack down the right flank. The Istanbul winger will certainly be a marked man tonight and while manager Martin O’Neill refused to blame Stephen Ward, saying that Visca would cause anyone problems, he is still expected to rest the Burnley defender with either Wilson or Ciaran Clark taking up the left-back berth.
Wilson is the most natural in that position and is certainly qualified to nullify his threat. Lack of first-team action at Stoke would be the only concern, while Visca was inexplicably withdrawn late in the game. Perhaps the winger is carrying a slight knock into the game.
Richard Keogh v Edin Dzeko
A fascinating contest from the start on Friday night, Richard Keogh was a man on a mission to prove that he could mix it with one of the best strikers in Europe.
The Derby County defender put in a stellar performance in Zenica and was only outdone in the final minutes as he just couldn’t intercept the cross that led to the goal. Dzeko’s finish showed that he only needs a brief glimpse at goal to hurt the opposition, however, he certainly won’t be looking forward to another 90 minutes under that watchful stare of Keogh.
The Bosnia striker is carrying a slight knock coming into the game but will still need Keogh’s full attention, and the Ireland centre-half will relish the challenge.
Seamus Coleman v Senad Lulic
The Everton defender had a very tough challenge on Friday night taking on the Lazio left midfielder Lulic, who was one of Bosnia’s best players on the night. The former Sligo Rovers full-back tried on several occasions to break forward but Lulic was obviously well-drilled on Coleman’s danger in attack and proved most effective tracking the Ireland player back into his own half.
Lulic’s strength is to drift inside to add numbers to his midfield and Coleman was often forced to follow inside, leaving space for full-back Ervin Zukanovic to attack on the left flank.
Coleman made some vital interceptions, while Lulic was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet, but for a fine, close-range save from Darren Randolph. It was probably honours even in this battle on Friday and tonight’s victor could prove the difference in this second-leg encounter.
Jonathan Walters v Emir Spahic
The return of Walters will strike fear into the Bosnia defence, as they have been well-warned of his strengths and commitment by former team-mate Asmir Begovic.
Whether Walters lines up as the main striker or out on the right, centre-half Spahic is set for a bruising encounter. Walters will give the Bosnia defence physical problems that were not in evidence on Friday night and as Spahic sits on the left of the centre-halves, he will face the full force of Walters.
Spahic is the calm and controlled figure in the Bosnia back four but faces a night of disruption that will keep his mind occupied and may lead to mistakes amongst his defensive compatriots. The 35-year-old might wish that he had stayed retired as he faces Walters' wrath tonight. A big performance from the Stoke City man is key to an Ireland victory.
Martin O’Neill v Mehmed Bazdarevic
The battle of the bosses is just as intriguing and team selections and tactics are going to prove crucial in tonight’s affair. O’Neill’s selection headaches are generally the ones that a manager enjoys as he has several options and is set to name a stronger side for tonight’s game.
Bazdarevic is mulling over his selection and appears to prefer a 4-1-4-1 formation but probably wants to start both Edin Dzeko and Vedad Ibisevic in attack. The latter might be sacrificed, to allow some more creativity into the midfield, and be kept on stand-by should Dzeko’s injury flair up.
O’Neill certainly won the battle on Friday night, due to his substitutions and tactical changes, while Bazdarevic was looking to blame conditions when he should really have been questioning some of his own decisions in the second half.
