The Republic of Ireland make the short trip across the Irish Sea to face Ryan Giggs’ Wales, having got the better of them in their key World Cup qualifier last time they met. Wales will be out for revenge but have a poor record in this fixture so they will need stars like Gareth Bale to be in top form on Thursday.
Wales have lost just one of the five matches they have played since failing to qualify for the World Cup after defeat against the Republic of Ireland. They lost 2-0 to France and drew 1-1 with Panama after conceding a last-minute equaliser, but did thrash China 6-0 – Gareth Bale grabbing a hat-trick – in Ryan Giggs’ first game in charge. In the China Cup final, however, they lost 1-0 to Uruguay and drew 0-0 with Mexico in their only summer friendly.
Republic of Ireland failed to qualify for the World Cup after a 5-1 defeat to Denmark in Dublin – after a goalless first leg – in the play-offs. Since then, the Irish have lost 1-0 to Turkey and 2-0 to France before a morale-boosting 2-1 defeat of the USA in June. The Americans were in front at half-time in Dublin, but Graham Burke and Alan Judge both scored their first international goals to seal victory after the break.
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