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Euro 2021 Play-off: Republic of Ireland vs Bosnia preview

Kick off: 16 November @20:45 CET

Venue: Aviva Stadium (Dublin)

Head to head record

Bosnia-Herzegovina vs Republic of Ireland 1-1 (Euro 2021 play-off)
Republic of Ireland vs Bosnia-Herzegovina 1-0 (2012 International friendly)

Republic of Ireland

Last 5 matches

Bosnia-Herzegovina vs Republic of Ireland 1-1 (Euro 2021 play-off)
Poland vs Republic of Ireland 2-1 (Euro 2021 qualifier)
Republic of Ireland vs Germany 1-0 (Euro 2021 qualifier)
Republic of Ireland vs Georgia 1-0 (Euro 2021 qualifier)
Gibraltar vs Republic of Ireland 0-4 (Euro 2021 qualifier)

Team News

Martin O’Neill welcomes back John O’Shea and Jonathan Walters after the pair missed the first leg through suspension, but the Sunderland defender remains doubtful through a hamstring injury.

Southampton forward Shane Long is another major doubt as he battles an ankle problem, with Daryl Murphy (18/0) likely to continue up front despite the fact that top scorer Robbie Keane (143/67) is available for selection.

Shay Given, David Meyler, Rob Elliot, Paul McShane and David McGoldrick all miss out through injury, whereas Alan Judge has recovered and he was in contention for the first leg.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Randolph – Coleman, Keogh, O’Shea, Ward – McCarthy, Whelan – Walters, Hendrick, Brady – D. Murphy.

Bosnia

Last 5 matches

Bosnia-Herzegovina vs Republic of Ireland 1-1 (Euro 2021 play-off)
Cyprus vs Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-3 (Euro 2021 qualifier)
Bosnia-Herzegovina vs Wales 2-0 (Euro 2021 qualifier)
Bosnia-Herzegovina vs Andorra 3-0 (Euro 2021 qualifier)
Belgium vs Bosnia-Herzegovina 3-1 (Euro 2021 qualifier)

Team News

Rade Krunic, Marin Anicic and Ermin Zec (back injury) were all dropped from the original squad, and coach Mehmed Bazdarevic has some selection worries ahead of the return match in Dublin.

Captain Edin Dzeko and full-back Mensur Mujdza have suffered injuries in the first leg and they are both rated doubtful for the match in Ireland, with Milan Djuric and Ognjen Vranjes ready to deputize if needed.

The good news is that important midfielder Muhamed Besic is available for selection after serving a three-math suspension and he is likely to replace defender Edin Cocalic, who was surprisingly used in midfield in Zenica.

Probable starting line-up (4-4-2): Begovic – Mujdza, Sunjic, Spahic, Zukanovic – Visca, Besic, Pjanic, Lulic – Dzeko, Ibisevic.

IST Facts

-The first leg in Zenica was pretty uneventful, with Bosnia the more dominant side in possession (59%-41%)

-Bosnia had more goal attempts than Ireland (14-5) and demonstrated better passing skills (403/309 vs 261/166)

-Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko now has 8 goals in 8 Euro 2021 qualifiers including the play-offs

-Republic of Ireland scored in six of last seven away matches on all fronts

-Bosnia registered 8 goals in last 4 away games (W2 D1 L1)

-Republic of Ireland are unbeaten in last eight home matches (W5 D3)

-There were under 2.5 goals scored in each of Ireland’s last five home games

Match Specials

*Ireland to win & both teams to score was 4/1 now 11/2

*Dzeko to score & Bosnia to win is 6/1

*Bosnia to win & both teams to score is 7/1

*Either team to win on penalties is 11/1

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