Tonight, Ireland will play Greece in their Euro 2024 qualifier, and as Gus Poyet says, it is a "must-win" for both sides.
A victory for Ireland will kickstart their campaign and earn them their first three points in the group. Meanwhile, Greece, who beat Gibraltar 3-0 in March, will be aiming to secure their second win at the Opap Stadium in Athens tonight.
The good news for Ireland and Stephen Kenny is that they have an injury-free 25-man squad for the game. Alan Browne has successfully recovered from his knee troubles and has been declared fit for the clash against the Greeks. Unfortunately, Chiedozie Ogbene did not make the squad due to an injury he sustained while playing for Rotherham in the final games of the season.
Kenny is likely to stick with his preferred back three formation, which he has used in the past, whether it's been a 3-5-2 or a 3-4-2-1.
Dublin , Ireland - 22 March 2023; Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny. (Photo By Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile via Getty Images)Regardless of the specific formation, the Ireland manager has consistently opted for three defenders. If he continues with this approach, Nathan Collins, John Egan, and Dara O'Shea are expected to retain their positions from the 1-0 loss to France in March. Egan will captain the side in the absence of Seamus Coleman, who is injured.
It is highly probable that Gavin Bazunu will be chosen over Caoimhín Kelleher as the goalkeeper.
In midfield, Ireland played with wingbacks, which means players like Callum O'Dowda will start on the left, and Matt Doherty will occupy the right side.
Josh Cullen and Jayson Molumby are expected to start as central midfielders between the wingbacks. However, this pairing could change if Kenny decides to trust Will Smallbone to start the game.
Evan Ferguson is a red-hot candidate to start ahead of Ireland's other attackers. He may well be joined in the front line by the impressive Jason Knight and Michael Obafemi, who could play behind him.
Predicted team: 3-4-2-1
GK: Bazunu
Def: Collins, Egan, O'Shea
Mid/Def: Doherty, Cullen, Molumby, O'Dowda
FW: Obafemi, Knight
Fw: Ferguson,
