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Republic of Ireland v Switzerland

Republic of Ireland v Switzerland - 7.45 kick off at Aviva Stadium Republic of Ireland manager Marti...
TodayFM
TodayFM

2:42 PM - 25 Mar 2016



Republic of Ireland v Switzerl...

Sport

Republic of Ireland v Switzerland

TodayFM
TodayFM

2:42 PM - 25 Mar 2016



Republic of Ireland v Switzerland - 7.45 kick off at Aviva Stadium

Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill will give at least one uncapped player a chance to impress in tonight's friendly with Switzerland. Brentford midfielder Alan Judge is the most likely candidate considering he's been in the squad regularly and he's scored 14 goals for his club this season.

O'Neill will also spring a few of the new faces from the bench so it could also be a chance for Matt Doherty, Eunan O'Kane and Jonny Hayes to win a first international cap. Shane Duffy has been a regular for Blackburn this season, chipping in with three goals from central defence. The former Everton defender will start either tonight or against Slovakia on Tuesday night.

Darren Randolph is the favourite to wear the number 1 jersey at Euro 2016 but Rob Elliot will be given a chance to put his case forward against Switzerland or Slovakia. Jon Walters, Robbie Keane, Anthony Pilkington, Jeff Hendrick and Harry Arter are all ruled out with injuries but Walters, Keane and Pilkington could return in time for Tuesday night's game against Slovakia.

Shane Long also has a point to prove after only starting two of the ten group qualifiers. The Southampton striker made six appearances as a substitute including the 1-0 win over Germany when he scored the only goal of the game. Long started in the defeats away to Scotland and Poland so the Tipperary native will be hoping to show the manager he is the man to lead the line in France this summer.

Stephen Ward has been a regular for Championship leaders Burnley over the last few months which means O'Neill will have to decide does he start with Ward or Robbie Brady at left back. Brady is a guaranteed starter for the Sweden game in June but it's not yet clear if he'll be used as a defender or winger.

Ireland will be in a group with Sweden, Belgium and Italy at Euro 2016 while tonight's opponents Switzerland were paired with hosts France, Albania and Romania after finishing second in qualifying behind England.

Irish fans will know a few of the Swiss players although Stoke's Xherdan Shaqiri looks set to miss tonight's game with a hamstring problem and Gokhan Inler has been left out of the squad due to a lack of game time at Leicester. Watford midfielder Valon Behrami is likely to start and it would be worth keeping an eye on Grant Xhaka from Borussia Monchengladbach. Seamus Coleman could face his Everton clubmate Shani Tarashaj who is back on loan at Swiss side Grasshoppers.

Martin O'Neill admits he has a fair idea of his squad for Euro 2016 but says there are still some places up for grabs:

This will be the first international meeting between the two nations since a World Cup qualifier in 2005, which ended in a 0-0 draw at Lansdowne Road. The last Irish win over Switzerland came in March 1992, when Jack Charlton's side won 2-1 in a friendly.

Martin O'Neill is unbeaten in his last nine home matches as Ireland manager (won 6 drew 3) but Switzerland have been beaten just twice in their last 13 international games (won 9 drew 2).

 



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