World Cup qualifier Sweden v Republic of Ireland match preview

A look ahead to tonight’s Group C fixture in Stockholm

Ireland striker Robbie Keane (GETTY IMAGES)

The Republic of Ireland will head into tonight’s crunch World Cup qualifying game with Sweden knowing they will have the chance to move into second place in Group C. Should Giovanni Trapattoni’s men emerge victorious in Stockholm they will leapfrog their Swedish opponents and provide an enormous boost to their qualification chances.

Sweden will enter the game with enormous confidence, having beaten England 4-2 in their last home fixture and gained an improbable 4-4 draw against Germany having been 4-0 behind with just 30 minutes left.

Trapattoni is expected to give Paul Green a start in midfield in order to provide Seamus Coleman with more freedom to venture forward. The Irish boss’ wish to play the game with the roof open is expected to be denied as temperatures are expected to plummet to -9 degrees centigrade.

KICK-OFF: Friday, 7.45pm

PAST MEETINGS…

Ireland 3 (Duff, Keane, Miller) Sweden 0, March 2006

Ireland 2 (Kavanagh, Kennedy) Sweden 0, April 1999

STATS…

Goalkeeper David Forde looks set to make his first competitive start for Ireland.

Should Robbie Keane play, he will move to within two caps of Shay Given’s all time Irish record.

Ireland currently sit one point and one place behind Sweden in Group A.

Sweden are yet to lose in this year’s World Cup qualifying campaign.

ODDS…

Sweden to win: 0.55

Ireland to win: 5

Draw: 3