Top Two Meet in Group D
Many of the groups in 2018 UEFA World Cup qualifying are tight and could go down to the wire, with Group D being one of them.
Serbia are currently top of the group with 15 points from their seven games played. They must travel to Republic of Ireland for their eighth match of the group, in what is their toughest remaining fixture of the qualifying campaign.
Republic of Ireland are second in the group and have 13 points from their seven matches. They know a win over Serbia in-front of their own fans will move them to the top of the group and will place automatic qualification to the 2018 World Cup finals in their own hands.
However, if the match is drawn it will give Wales a chance to close in on both teams and that would make for a very exciting end to the group next month.
Trends show Republic of Ireland are undefeated in Group D, having won three and drawn four of their seven games. While they remained undefeated by picking up a draw with Georgia in their match on Saturday, it was a disappointing performance and means they have failed to win any of their last three World Cup qualifying games.
There have been two draws at home against Wales and Austria, in addition to the 1-1 draw in Georgia. Republic of Ireland have failed to score more than one goal in each of their last four World Cup qualifying games and only managed it once in their six, which was in Moldova.
Serbia had the simple task of playing Moldova at home in their previous match on Saturday night and had little trouble taking maximum points.
Having been held 1-1 at home by Wales in the match prior to the win against Moldova, it was vital Serbia did not slip up in that match and they won 3-0.
Trends show Serbia have become difficult to beat in World Cup qualifying and you must go back to the match in Belgium in 2013 to find the last time they lost a World Cup qualifying game. Since then they have played ten World Cup qualifying games and won six and drawn four.
However, Serbia have won two of their last six games and kept a clean sheet in two of their last seven. Furthermore, they have won four of their last twelve away matches, a record which will give Republic of Ireland some confidence.
Looking ahead at the team news and Republic of Ireland are unlikely to make many changes from the match in Georgia. Jon Walters and Shane Long are expected to start in attack with the goal scorer from the Georgia game, Shane Duffy, lining up in defence.
Serbia can welcome back Luka Milivojevic and Vladimir Stojkovic from suspension for this game. Branislav Ivanovic will captain the team, with Nemanja Matic in midfield and the groups top scorer, Aleksandar Mitrovic up-front.
The way this group has developed, this is going to be another very close match. Republic of Ireland have been involved in some very low scoring matches and don’t be surprised to see this end level, with under 2.5 goals scored.
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