Czech Republic vs Republic of Ireland predictions: Ireland can thwart home advantage
Warren Ashurst
Republic of Ireland go in search of a fourth straight international victory.
Czech Republic have kept three clean sheets in their last four matches.
Recommended bet: Team to go through - Republic of Ireland
The World Cup is within touching distance for both the Czech Republic and Republic of Ireland, as they prepare to do battle on Thursday.
The Fortuna Arena in Prague is the venue for this crucial clash, with both sides just two steps away from making it to the tournament this summer.
Ireland go into the game on a run of three consecutive wins, scoring six goals across their victories over Armenia, Portugal and Hungary.
The latest Czech Republic vs Republic of Ireland odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Team news
Czech coach Miroslav Koubek is known more for his direct approach, with the hosts likely to get the ball forward as quickly as possible.
Koubek is expected to include former West Ham man Vladimir Coufal in his backline, while current Hammers ace Tomas Soucek looks certain to start in midfield.
Bayer Leverkusen striker Patrik Schick is their main goal threat, with the former Roma man having scored 24 goals in 50 appearances for his country.
Heimir Hallgrimsson has no fresh injury concerns following the weekend, and has some new faces in the camp.
QPR midfielder Harvey Vale is called up for the first time after Fifa agreed to his qualification, while uncapped goalkeeper Josh Keeley is also in the squad.
Veteran Preston ace Robbie Brady is in line to win his 73rd cap after recovering from a long-term calf injury, while Derby’s Sammie Szmodics is also fit and available again.
The latest Czech Republic vs Republic of Ireland odds are available on LiveScore Bet
The stats
Ireland have lost on their last three visits to the Czech Republic, although the most recent was a 1-0 defeat in 2007.
The home team (43rd) are currently 16 places above Ireland (59th) in the Fifa world rankings.
Troy Parrott scored six goals in four appearances in qualifying, including a hat-trick in the win over Hungary.
Jaroslav Zeleny and Tomas Chory both claimed three assists during the Czech Republic’s qualifying campaign.
There have been under three goals scored in each of the last three meetings between the two nations.
Ireland (20) collected more than double the number of yellow cards as the Czech Republic (seven), despite playing two fewer matches.
The latest Czech Republic vs Republic of Ireland odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
Assistant coach John O’Shea admitted that there is a ‘quiet confidence’ growing in the Republic of Ireland camp and feels they can build on their momentum.
The Irish squad needed to beat both Portugal and Hungary to reach the playoffs and they pulled off the unlikely to get to this stage.
AZ Alkmaar striker Troy Parrott has been in fine form for club and country and could have a key role to play against an aging Czech backline.
The hosts lost in the Faroe Islands in qualifying and managed only a 1-0 home success over San Marino in November, suggesting they are not a team to fear.
Back Republic of Ireland to go through at 29/20 with LiveScore Bet
The latest Czech Republic vs Republic of Ireland odds are available on LiveScore Bet
