MX23RW : Thursday, April 25 16:18:44| >> :600:2496070:2496070:
[monks data]
Republic of Ireland national football team
Nations League | League B
Oct 11, 2020 at 2pm UK
Aviva Stadium
Wales national football team

Rep. Ireland
0 - 0
Wales


Christie (30'), McClean (79')
McClean (84')
FT

Moore (21'), Morrell (83')

The main talking points surrounding Wales' clash with Republic of Ireland

Ryan Giggs' side won their opening two Nations League games in September but must bounce back from defeat to England.

Wales are away to the Republic of Ireland in the Nations League as Ryan Giggs' side seek to recover from their Wembley friendly loss to England.

The Dragons have six points from their opening two games in the competition after 1-0 wins over Finland and Bulgaria last month.

Here, the PA news agency looks at the main talking points surrounding Sunday's game in Dublin.

Bouncing back

Wales had put an eight-game unbeaten run together before losing 3-0 to England on Thursday. The confidence gained in the last 16 months was evident in the opening 25 minutes at Wembley when Wales dominated possession, created a couple of half-chances and were comfortable at the back. But Giggs' young side were deflated by the first England goal and will need to show more resilience in Dublin.

Ramsey return

Wales v Hungary – UEFA Euro 2020 Qualifying – Group E – Cardiff City Stadium
Aaron Ramsey's creative influence has been missed by Wales over the last year or so (Nick Potts/PA)

The availability of Juventus playmaker Aaron Ramsey is a huge boost to Wales. Eyebrows were raised when Ramsey sat out the Wembley defeat as a precaution following positive coronavirus tests at Juventus, despite some of his team-mates playing for their countries. Injuries have meant Ramsey has started only once for Wales in almost two years, but his ability to create and score goals could be the difference in Dublin.

Brooks hope

Wales v Denmark – UEFA Nations League – Group B4 – Cardiff City Stadium
David Brooks hopes to fire Wales in Dublin after injury problems (Mike Egerton/PA)

If anyone needs to catch a break in the Wales camp it is David Brooks. The 23-year-old forward sparkled initially on the international scene, but ankle surgery slowed his progress and Bournemouth's relegation dropped him out of the Premier League. Brooks was rested against England with the Nations League in mind and Wales will want him to provide an attacking threat, especially with captain Gareth Bale missing due to injury.

Defensive dilemma

England v Wales – International Friendly – Wembley Stadium
Conor Coady celebrates England's second goal in a 3-0 win at Wembley as Wales were punished by crosses into their penalty area (Glyn Kirk/PA)

Wales could not cope with crosses at Wembley as England scored all three goals in that fashion. Chris Mepham had a tough night and his place could be under threat even if he recovers from a knock. Ben Cabango and Joe Rodon are Swansea team-mates, but they are used to playing in a three-man defence for their club. Does Giggs – who favours two centre-backs – put them together when they have only seven caps combined, or could he switch Ethan Ampadu from midfield?

World Cup carrot

  1. Wales 6 points
  2. Finland 3
  3. Ireland 1
  4. Bulgaria 1

UEFA's decision to link the Nations League with European qualification for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar means Wales can not afford to take their foot off the pedal after a strong September start. Successful trips to the Republic of Ireland and Bulgaria this week would put Wales in a powerful position ahead of two closing home games, as well as picking up valuable ranking points. Wales finish their Nations League campaign in November with Cardiff games against the Republic and Finland.

ID:417896: cacheID:417896:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:8995:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
England's Jack Grealish in action against Wales in an international friendly on October 8, 2020
Read Next:
Ben Davies: Wales "desperate to bounce back" against Republic of Ireland
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
10am
Blanch
Nadal
Result
Cachin
Ofner
6 6
3 3
Result
Elahi Galan
Bautista-Agut
64 6 1
77 4 6
Result
Gasquet
Sonego
2 5
6 7
Result
Hanfmann
Mensik
4 63
6 77
10am
Koepfer
Carballes Baena
10am
Kovacevic
Medjedovic
Result
Lajovic
Monteiro
4 3
6 6
Result
Machac
Ruusuvuori
6 1 6
4 6 2
10am
Michelsen
Fonseca
Result
Nishioka
Auger-Aliassime
6 1 4
4 6 6
Result
O'Connell
Arnaldi
4 1
6 6
Result
Purcell
Giron
4 6 77
6 4 62
10am
Ramos-Vinolas
Kotov
Result
Tabilo
Cobolli
7 4 4
5 6 6
Result
Zhizhen
Kecmanovic
3 2
6 6
Result
Azarenka
Maria
6 6
3 1
10am
Eala
Cirstea
10am
Annie Fernandez
Potapova
Result
Gauff
Rus
6 6
0 0
Result
Keys
Camelia-Begu
77 78
63 66
Result
Podoroska
Navarro
2 1
6 6
10am
Karolina Schmiedlova
Jabeur
10am
Swiatek
Wang
10am
Baez
Van Assche
10am
Coric
Zverev
10am
Martin Etcheverry
Shapovalov
10am
Humbert
Van De Zandschulp
10am
Hurkacz
Draper
10am
Marozsan
Cerundolo
10am
Paul
Klein
10am
Rublev
Bagnis
10am
Alexandrova
Krueger
10am
Andreeva
Noskova
10am
Bejlek
Kalinskaya
10am
Boulter
Montgomery
10am
Bronzetti
Rybakina
10am
Collins
Danilovic
3pm
Cristian
Krejcikova
10am
Dolehide
Kalinina
10am
Garcia
Wang
10am
Linette
Sabalenka
10am
Pavlyuchenkova
Saville
Result
Sorribes Tormo
Svitolina
6 7
3 5
Result
Vekic
Sakkari
3 2
6 6
Result
Arango
Yastremska
6 5 4
0 7 6
Result
Osaka
Samsonova
2 6 5
6 4 7
Result
Ostapenko
Bouzas Maneiro
6 6
3 1
Result
Haddad Maia
Errani
6 6
3 2
2.30pm
Lourdes Carle
Kudermetova
2.30pm
Mertens
Stephens
Tables header RHS


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!