Luxembourg vs Republic of Ireland predictions: Red Lions to succumb to Irish spirit
&w=707&quality=100)
- Luxembourg have lost seven of their last 11 matches
- Republic of Ireland have won three of their last five games
- Recommended Bet: Republic of Ireland to win
Republic of Ireland will look to maintain an upturn in form in their final friendly match of the summer against Luxembourg on Tuesday night.
Heimir Hallgrimsson’s men built on their twin victories over Bulgaria in March that secured Nations League B survival with a solid 1-1 home draw against Senegal on Friday.
The Icelandic coach was encouraged by the improvement of his side out of possession against a nation ranked in FIFA’s top-20.
Luxembourg are now ranked 91st in the world, 31 places below the Irish.
The Red Lions finished bottom of Nations League C3 and could slip further down the rankings after a listless 1-0 friendly defeat at home to Slovenia last time out.
Team news
Luxembourg boss Luc Holtz is likely to make some changes to the team that lost to Slovenia, with Aiman Dardari pushing for a spot up front, possibly at the expense of 16-year-old striker Brian Madjo.
Eldin Dzogovic is in line to replace Mica Pinto at right-back after coming on for the final half hour on Friday, while brothers Vincent and Sebastien Thill could also step up from the bench to fill midfield roles.
As for Ireland, goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher is almost certain to retain his role between the posts in front of a backline marshalled by his new Brentford team-mate Nathan Collins.
Everton’s Jake O'Brien is likely to bolster the defence, while AZ Alkmaar striker Troy Parrott and Brighton hitman Evan Ferguson are pushing for a place up front.
The stats
Republic of Ireland are unbeaten in their last three games and their last three matches at Aviva Stadium.
The Irish have dominated Luxembourg in seven previous meetings (W6, L1) and outscored the Red Lions 17-3 in that sequence
Luxembourg managed to register only 16 shots on target in their last Nations League campaign, two fewer than the Irish.
Adam Idah has five goals in his last 18 appearances for his country.
Prediction
Luxembourg are heading in the wrong direction again after a period where the current generation showed they could compete against middle-ranking European nations.
Holtz’s side have lost seven of their last 11 matches – a run which has included defeats to Belarus, Northern Ireland and Bulgaria.
Republic of Ireland proved too strong for Bulgaria in March, winning both legs of the Nations League relegation play-off, and they should prove too good for Luxembourg too.
The Red Lions create little danger against a Slovenia side without their two best players – Jan Oblak and Benjamin Sesko – on Friday and look unlikely to trouble the improved Irish defence much either.
Hallgrimsson can freshen up his forward line with the inclusion of Parrott or Ferguson and they can help the Irish get a win at Stade de Luxembourg.
Win up to £250,000 with LiveScore 6!
Win up to £250,000 with our free-to-play game, LiveScore 6!
