please log in to view this image Match Preview Ireland were leading the last meeting in Dublin in 1995, before the game was abandoned after 27 minutes due to violent clashes in the crowd. The two sides met in 2013 for the first time since that infamous night, when Frank Lampard’s strike cancelled out Shane Long’s opener to secure a 1-1 draw at Wembley, with Sunday's encounter the first back in the Irish capital. England are unbeaten since their disappointing World Cup campaign last summer, winning seven and drawing one of their eight games, and they sit top of European qualifying Group E with five wins out of five. Ireland, meanwhile, have a tough task to reach next year’s tournament in France with a tough qualifying group, but they are three points off Group D leaders Poland and held reigning World champions Germany last October. After Sunday’s encounter, England travel to Slovenia for their sixth qualifying match on June 14, as they look to maintain their 100 per cent record, while Ireland host Scotland in a key clash the day before.
please log in to view this image Charlie Austin says being part of the England squad is the culmination of all his hard work Team news The majority of Ireland's squad met up in Malahide on Monday, with defender Paul McShane the player who didn’t train as he continues to recover from a gash on his leg. O’Neill’s England-based players – including Shane Long, Aiden McGeady and Jonathan Walters – joined up with the squad later in the week, along with LA Galaxy striker Robbie Keane. Fabian Delph missed Thursday’s England training session with a “minor knock” picked up in the FA Cup final last weekend, but the Aston Villa midfielder is expected to be fit. Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana was the only other absentee from training as he went to spend some time at home following the birth of his second child, so Hodgson looks set to have a fully fit squad to choose from, with strikers Charlie Austin and Jamie Vardy hoping for a first England cap. please log in to view this image Martin O'Neill has concerns over the fitness of some of his players Opta facts England have not beaten Ireland since a friendly match in March 1985, drawing four and losing once since then. Ireland have scored in all but two of their 15 meetings with England, though they've only netted more than one goal on one occasion. The Three Lions have won only one of their last six friendlies played outside of England (D4 L1). Ireland have conceded exactly one goal in each of their last four internationals. Martin O’Neill’s men are unbeaten in their last four home games (W3 D1), scoring 14 goals and conceding just twice. 14 of England’s last 20 goals have been scored by a player from either Arsenal or Manchester United. Betting England are considered Sky Bet’s even-priced favourites for Sunday’s friendly, with the Republic of Ireland 11/4 outsiders while the draw is priced at23/10. Expectations are high on potential debutant Charlie Austin as the QPR striker is considered favourite in the first goalscorer market at 9/2, while Theo Walcott and Wayne Rooney follow on 5/1apiece. Jamie Vardy could also earn his first cap and is a 13/2 chance to net first, while Shane Long is rated the hosts’ biggest threat at 7/1 to break the deadlock.
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Not being funny, but I suspect that this game will mean a lot more to the Irish than the English. However, both sides have qualifiers in a few days' time, so I expect both to field below strength sides, especially England, who will look to give Austin and some others a game imo.
* I think you're right COLster. Its QPR v Chelsea in International terms. The small team against their bigger neighbours. Chelsea don't give two fukk's about us, Brentford or Fulham if we're honest. Same for the English playing Ireland, Scotland or Wales. Bigger fish to fry etc. I've divided loyalties here. I'd love to see Chazza do well but I want Ireland to win! One & a half wins and four draws out of the last five & a half games for Ireland against England. I'd take a draw now if offered & keep that unbeaten run going. (* I've only been gone one week but Nines has granted me a special dispensation because of this match. I'll serve the further one week of my Sabbatical as soon as the game is over)
The Irish have a superb record against England and that kind of backs up what I was saying. This game is BIG for the Irish and they give their all every time against the English. I'd love Charlie to score, as I don't think he has any chance of playing in the qualifier.
So the same approach as with the R's - I'd be tempted with the possibility of seeing Greeno & Charlie in action, especially if on my doorstep?
I'll see them in action alright. From a multitude of angles along with a running commentary, replays and post match analysis. Going to the match just isn't the same
