England travel to the Republic of Ireland for an international meeting on Sunday lunchtime for the first time since the Lansdowne Road riots of 20 years ago.

The two countries separated by the Irish Sea have met just once since that February 1995 encounter and tensions are sure to be running high at the Aviva Stadium.

Ireland

Martin O'Neill's side have suffered just one defeat in their last seven games, but they still sit outside the top three in what is one of the toughest groups of Euro 2016 qualifying.

Their only defeat in Group D was in Glasgow against Scotland after they spectacularly snatched a draw against Germany just three months after their victory in the World Cup.

Last time out at home to group leaders Poland, Shane Long scored in injury time to salvage a point and keep O'Neill's men in with a shout of finishing in the qualification places.

The latest FIFA rankings were released yesterday and although the Boys in Green climbed a couple of places, they are still down in 60th place, behind other British Isles nations England (15th), Wales (22nd), Scotland (28th) and Northern Ireland (44th).

They are unbeaten in their last four home games (W3 D1), scoring 14 goals and conceding just twice.

Ireland have conceded exactly one goal in each of their last four internationals, only keeping a clean sheet in their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign against the lowest-ranked team in the whole tournament, Gibraltar.

Recent form in friendlies: LDDLWW
Recent form (all competitions): WWDLWD

England

It's been plain sailing for Roy Hodgson's England in European qualifying since their disappointing group-stage exit at the World Cup last summer.

Since losing to Uruguay in their second match in Brazil, the Three Lions are unbeaten in nine internationals (W7 D2), scoring 20 and conceding just three goals.

They have the best record of anyone in Euro 2016 qualification, having scored 15 goals in five Group E fixtures so far and conceded one solitary goal at home to Slovenia. Even that was an own goal by midfielder Jordan Henderson.

However, the Three Lions have won only one of their last six friendlies played outside of England, drawing four and losing one.

One of those was their last match in March against Italy - a 1-1 draw which ended a seven-match winning streak since the World Cup.

It looked as if Hodgson's men were going to lose their unbeaten run, but Andros Townsend delivered a fierce shot 10 minutes from time that was too good for Gianluigi Buffon.

Recent form in friendlies: WDDWWD
Recent form (all competitions): WWWWWD

Team News

Shane Long of Republic of Ireland scores their first goal past Lukasz Fabianski of Poland during the EURO 2016 Qualifier match between Republic of Ireland and Poland at Aviva Stadium on March 29, 2015

O'Neill has a squad of 27 to choose from and has the option to go with the same XI that started the last match against Poland on March 29.

However, Long's late equaliser, his first international goal in a year, as well as his impressive double for Southampton against Aston Villa on the penultimate weekend of the Premier League, could see him included.

Hodgson gave first senior call-ups to strikers Charlie Austin and Jamie Vardy and goalkeeper Tom Heaton, but it would be a surprise to see any of the trio included in the starting lineup.

Elsewhere, Harry Kane is not available as he prepares for the European Under-21 Championship in the Czech Republic. That leaves the visitors a little light up front, so captain Wayne Rooney could lead the line in a three-pronged attack with Theo Walcott and Raheem Sterling.

Ireland possible starting lineup:
Given; Coleman, O'Shea, Wilson, Brady; Hoolahan, Whelan, McCarthy, McGeady; Keane, Walters

England possible starting lineup:
Hart; Clyne, Smalling, Cahill, Bertrand; Henderson, Delph, Wilshere; Walcott, Rooney, Sterling

Head To Head

David Kelly put Ireland in front midway through the first half when the two sides last met in on Irish shores. The match was abandoned with the scoreline still at 1-0 after an English goal had been disallowed and some of the visiting fans began throwing debris down into the lower tiers.

Prior to that, England had lost two and drawn three of their meetings against the Irish in Dublin.

The one and only meeting since that dark day was two years ago when Frank Lampard's strike cancelled out Long's opener at Wembley.

The Boys in Green have scored in all but two of their 15 meetings with England, though they've only netted more than one goal once.

England haven't beaten Ireland in over 30 years - a run of six games that includes four draws and never more than two goals.

We say: Ireland 1-1 England

England clearly have the better talent and are in excellent form since the World Cup. However, they have never won in Dublin and much of the focus will be on the behaviour of the fans. A tense affair is likely and a fifth 1-1 draw in six meetings between the two could be on the cards.