The Republic of Ireland are currently in a strong position to qualify for next years European Championships. However, Mick McCarthy’s team face a test of their qualification credentials when they visit Georgia on Saturday afternoon.
The visitors currently sit top of Group D, with Switzerland and Denmark hot on their heels. Ireland are just two points clear of second-place Denmark and three points clear of Switzerland. The pair also face each other on Saturday afternoon, so this game is a chance for the visitors to extend their lead at the top of the group.
McCarthy’s team heads into this game five matches unbeaten in qualification, having recorded three wins and two draws. In fact, the visitors are now seven matches unbeaten in qualifying for the European Championships dating back to 2015.
The Republic of Ireland have been inconsistent on their travels in European Championships qualifying, recording just two wins in their last seven away qualifiers.
Their away qualifiers have been tight and low-scoring, with under 2.5 goals scored in five of their last seven qualifying games on their travels.
Georgia have endured a poor qualifying campaign so far, picking up just four points from their five qualifiers. The home side has won just once in six European Championship qualifiers, suffering four defeats in the process.
Their recent matches in qualifying have been low-scoring, with under 2.5 goals scored in four of their last six outings.
The home side actually has a decent recent home record in European Championships, winning three of their last five matches on home soil, while suffering just one defeat. Georgia have an impressive recent defensive record at home in qualifying, keeping four clean sheets in their last five Euro qualifiers.
This clash could be a tight one. In fact, Forebet predicts that these two teams will cancel each other out and this game will finish goalless.