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Unable to classify directly, the Republic of Ireland visit Portugal to take on Gibraltar aiming for a morale-boosting victory. The hosts are scoreless after five matches, conceding 17, and face another tough test.
The Estadio Algarve will host this match, and the visitors arrive with only a slim chance of a playoff spot having fallen to Greece last week.
These are the Gibraltar vs Republic of Ireland predicted lineups.
Photo by Icon Sport
Gibraltar vs Republic of Ireland predicted lineups and news
Contents
The 198th ranked team in the world has a foundation of experience and defensive stability, which has proved valuable so far. The 54th member team of UEFA has only conceded more than three goals in one match, away to Greece.
Republic of Ireland are leaning towards youth, as Stephen Kenny tries to build a team that can compete in the future. Brighton’s Evan Ferguson is an important piece, alongside other youngsters such as Jason Knight in midfield.
Team news: Gibraltar
Nicholas Pozo is only 18 and yet to play senior football for his club side, Cádiz in Spain, but he is in line to make his ninth appearance here for the Llanis. However, teenage talent is a rarity in this side that prefers experience and is ultra-defensive.
15-time Gibraltar League champion, Roy Chipolina, is now 40 years old but will still be expected to start. Despite being a defender he is the national team’s join top scorer with five goals. Liam Walker is the other footballer to score five times, he is now 35 and plays with Chipolina for the Lincoln Red Imps.
One player that knows Irish football well is Dundalk defender Louie Annesley, who has been playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division since the turn of the year.
Gibraltar predicted lineup: 5-4-1
Coleing – Sergeant, Annesley, Chipolina, Mouelhi, Britto – Walker, Pozo, Jolley, Ronan – De Barr
Team news: Republic of Ireland
Photo by Icon Sport
We indicated ahead of the Greece game that Liam Scales was in line for his debut, the Celtic defender got the nod and is likely to continue here
With Gibraltar offering little going forward, we can expect a more attacking 4-4-2 formation from Kenny in the Algarve. Corkonian Adam Idah could partner Brighton’s Evan Ferguson in a young and exciting front line.
The Boys in Green biggest ever win was 8-0 over Malta in 1983, but they might not have the firepower to achieve that on Monday.
Republic of Ireland predicted lineup: 4-4-2
Bazunu – Doherty, O’Shea, Scales, Manning – Ebosele, Cullen, Smallbone, Johnston – Idah, Ferguson
Will Evan Ferguson play today?
Photo by Icon Sport
The 2023 Golden Boy nominee started against Greece, having missed the games against France and Netherlands, but didn’t trouble the scorers. He did come close though, hitting the woodwork in the fifth minute in what would have been his third senior goal.
Looks good, Ev 🤩9️⃣ pic.twitter.com/3alxEIocQb
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) October 13, 2023
This seems like a perfect game for the Seagulls striker to get some confidence, against lowly-ranked opposition. Kenny can also risk playing with two strikers, something he didn’t do at home versus Greece.
Ferguson likely starts this match against the side he scored his last goal against in an Ireland shirt, it is a chance for him to find the net in an away game for the first time.
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