Kenny Cunningham believes Ireland have little to fear from Austria in Vienna on Saturday evening, and says Martin O'Neill's side should feel confident of taking at least a point from the vital World Cup qualifier.
Austria have made a tentative start to Group D, trailing Ireland by three points after three games. Failure to beat the visitors will heap more pressure on Marcel Koller's outfit in the race to Russia 2018.
In the other dugout, O'Neill will be seeking to maintain Ireland's unbeaten start to qualifying, and Cunningham suggests a draw would leave his side in a very strong position.
"In the context of the group, yeah, I think so," he told RTÉ Radio's Morning Ireland.
"A draw would clearly put us very close to the top and in good shape going into the New Year, keep that feelgood factor going off the back of the [3-1 victory] in Moldova.
"Now I'd never accept a result prior to kick-off and I think we should go into the game with some confidence.
"The lads will have a spring in their step on the back of the last result and begin top of the table, so I expect a positive approach. There is nothing to fear from this Austrian team, they have one or two talented individuals, certainly.
"But there will be an inner confidence among our players that we can go there and get at least a point."
Austria's performances in topping their Euro 2016 qualifying group made them look a tough opponent when paired with Ireland last year, but they failed to win a game in the finals in France and have carried that poor form into these qualifiers, losing 3-2 in Serbia last time out.
"Before the Euros in the summer I think they would have been a lot of people's favorites to go and win this group," Cunningham said.
"But they seriously disappointed in the summer and they haven't really found top form in the qualifying campaign.
"So it's a huge game for them, one you'd almost feel they have to win, so you would think that would be reflected in the intensity of their performance, so have to be ready for that."
"There will be an inner confidence among our players that we can go there and get at least a point."
With frontmen Shane Long and Daryl Murphy, midfielder James McCarthy and full-back Stephen Ward all ruled out, O'Neill has a number of interesting calls to make on his selection, particularly in the attacking half of the field.
Bournemouth's Harry Arter has been making his case with some excellent Premier League displays, however, Cunningham's concerns over the 26-year-old's defensive capabilities suggest he may instead be better suited to the role behind the striker often given to Wes Hoolahan [pictured below].
"There must be a temptation [to select Arter], given his form for his club, but for me with Harry it's about the position he plays," the former Ireland captain said.
"I think he's at this best when he gets himself in the opposition half and plays almost in an advanced midfield position. I don't particularly like to see him operate too deep down the pitch, I don't think the defensive side of his game is the strongest.
"But when he gets on the ball and starts heading into the opposition half, he's a very dangerous player. I'm not too sure we can accommodate him and Wes in the same team, so it will be interesting in terms of the balance Martin strikes.
"My gut feeling tells me it would be Wes operating behind the lone striker and in front of a midfield two. Arter would probably argue he could play in a normal midfield partnership but it remains to be seen.
"There's some good options, though, with Robbie Brady and Jeff Hendrick coming back into the squad, we have some very attack-minded players and Martin could put a very bold team onto the field."
Further forward, Jonathan Walters is the favourite to start up front in the absence of Long, while Kevin Doyle remains an option for O'Neill.
"Kevin's a player I trust," Cunningham added. "I've always been a big fan of his in terms of his game intelligence.
"He understands his role in the team, so while we might be limited in terms of options high up the pitch, if Kevin had to come in I'd have no problems with that."
Watch Austria v Republic of Ireland on RTÉ2 from 4pm and listen on RTÉ Radio 1's Saturday Sport from 2.45pm.
