UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE GROUP B1
Ukraine v Republic of Ireland, Stadion LKS, 7.45pm
TV
Live coverage of all the build-up and match action from Stadion LKS from 7pm on RTÉ2. Streaming live online on RTÉ Player.
RADIO
Live radio coverage on an extended Game On on RTÉ 2fm.
ONLINE
We'll have a live match tracker on rte.ie/sport, the RTÉ News app, as well as updates and goals on RTÉ Soccer Twitter and RTÉ Sport Facebook.
WEATHER
A storm blew in over Lodz on Monday but it's forecast to clear by matchday, and it should be a decent evening for a game, with temperatures of around 17C expected. It'll be humid but breezy in the Polish city, with a minimal chance of rain.
Scottish reprieve energises the Irish
Ireland pulled a performance out of the bag when Stephen Kenny needed it most on Saturday evening.
Having slumped to a 1-0 defeat in Armenia, and been outthought and outplayed by a heavily rotated Ukraine in Dublin, even the manager's staunchest supporters may have been growing weary.
A 3-0 slaying of the Scots has certainly eased the pressure on the Tallaght man ahead of Tuesday's clash in Lodz.
That being said, Ireland could really do with following up what was a much-improved performance with another steady showing.
Kenny's tenure has been a mad ride so far; every step forward seems hard earned while setbacks, disjointed performances and some bad luck have stunted progress with frustrating regularity.
It's time for a bit of consistency.
Changes pay off – but more are on the way
Michael Obafemi, Troy Parrott, Jayson Molumby, Alan Browne and James McClean got the nod from the start at the weekend and they took their chance.
All of those players, bar Molumby, either scored or played a key part in a goal against Scotland, with Molumby offering important energy around the middle of the park.
Obafemi and Parrott offered a spontaneity and chemistry that had been sorely lacking in the first two games of this UEFA Nations League campaign, while McClean and Browne both did well in their wing-back roles.
Kenny may have fancied sticking to that same starting XI but extenuating circumstances mean some alterations are unavoidable.
Shane Duffy is suspended, John Egan has withdrawn from the squad due to family reasons, and Obafemi has been ruled out after coming off against Scotland with a groin issue.
A change in shape is not improbable. Ukraine looked well prepared for Ireland's 3-4-3 set-up last Tuesday so a variation on a 4-5-1 could come into Kenny's thinking.
Festy Ebosele remains in a squad that's missing Seamus Coleman, Matt Doherty, Gavin Bazunu and Andrew Omobamidele, while Josh Cullen may need a rest having been involved in all three games over the last nine days.
Ukraine a polished, highly motivated force
After Tuesday's game in Dublin, Ukraine boss Oleksandr Petrakov said he was "truly moved" by the welcome his team received.
"I want to wish all the best not only to the Irish team, but to the whole of Ireland," he said. "We'll see the Irish on the 14th of this month in Lodz in Poland."
Their country's plight, of course, is a stark reminder that the chase of Nations League wins and points is completely trivial in the grand scheme of things, but Ukraine are highly motivated to offer some positive distraction to their people.
"It's not difficult to get fired up for the game because when you get feedback from Ukraine, when you get to know soldiers watch our games in trenches, people are following us under the bombs," said midfielder Serhiy Sydorchuk before the first Ireland match last week.
They were excellent in Dublin. Petrakov made ten changes for the game following their World Cup play-off loss to Wales but Ukraine looked a cohesive, slick outfit regardless.
On Saturday they beat Armenia 3-0, although it took them 61 minutes to break the deadlock, through Russlan Malinosky. Oleksandr Karavaev and Vitaliy Mykolenko then put the seal on it.
There were 12,000 fans in Lodz to watch Ukraine beat Armenia. Ireland can brace themselves for another emotional night.
Kenny Cunningham's view
Speaking on the RTÉ Soccer Podcast, former Republic of Ireland captain Cunningham said he expects Ireland to kick on from the Scotland win.
"In possession and out of possession we looked far better. I think that system (used against the Scots) best suits us.
"The advantage of having more legs, more athleticism in that central area where we can use the running power of Jason Knight and Jayson Molumby – that bit more tenacity in there – helps us, certainly defensively it did.
"We know how important quick, counter-attack transitions are in the modern game, but to do that you need people with pace to actually break out from those defensive positions. With the likes of Knight and Molumby you can do that."
Follow Italy U21s v Republic of Ireland U21s (Tuesday, 4.30pm) via our live blog on rte.ie/sport or on the RTÉ News app. Watch live coverage on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player commencing at 4pm
Follow Ukraine v Republic of Ireland (Tuesday, 7.45pm) via our live blog on rte.ie/sport or on the RTÉ News app. Watch live coverage on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player commencing at 7pm
