Ireland vs. Scotland: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream & TV Info
Celtic rivals will clash once more on Saturday as the Republic of Ireland welcome Scotland to Dublin in the hope of earning redemption for November's 1-0 defeat in Glasgow.
The Euro 2016 hopefuls are currently separated by just two points in qualifying Group D, with the Scots in third place and level on points with Germany, while Martin O'Neill's men have won a game fewer and sit fourth.
Saturday's fixture therefore has the potential to make or break the qualification campaign for either side, and this weekend's victor, should there be one, stands to take a major step toward sealing their place in France.
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Read on for a full match preview of the Aviva Stadium clash, complete with team news, predicted lineups and viewing information.
Date: Saturday, June 13
Time: 5 p.m. BST/12 p.m. ET
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Live Stream: Sky Go (UK), Fox Soccer 2GO (US)
TV Info: Sky Sports 1 (UK), Fox Sports 2 (US)
| D 0-0 vs. England (H) | W 1-0 vs. Qatar (H) |
| D 1-1 vs. Poland (H) | W 6-1 vs. Gibraltar (H) |
| W 4-1 vs. United States (H) | W 1-0 vs. Northern Ireland (H) |
| L 1-0 vs. Scotland (A) | L 3-1 vs. England (H) |
| D 1-1 vs. Germany (A) | W 1-0 vs. Republic of Ireland (H) |
Team News
Both managers are fortunate to bring largely fit squads to the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, with Bournemouth's Harry Arter the only doubt for O'Neill.
The Independent reports that, despite a family tragedy earlier in the week, striker Robbie Keane will be available for the home outfit and will be looking to start from the first whistle:
Robbie Brady is likely to continue his run at left-back and Shane Long may be the other name to start in place of Keane, but the latter's experience will be a valuable asset and Long could provide a second-half boost.
After missing out on a place in the starting XI against England last weekend, Wes Hoolahan will also be striving for recognition against Scotland. The42.ie believes the Norwich playmaker should be involved from the beginning:
Scotland boss Gordon Strachan is hoping to seal back-to-back wins over the Irish in Dublin, and as a result, we could see a very similar lineup on Saturday to the one that defeated O'Neill's men seven months ago.
| Republic of Ireland Win | 7-5 |
| Draw | 11-5 |
| Scotland Win | 12-5 |
| Both Teams to Score - Yes | 11-10 |
Predicted Formations
Republic of Ireland (4-4-1-1)
Shay Given; Seamus Coleman, Robbie Brady, John O'Shea, Marc Wilson; James McCarthy, Glenn Whelan, Aiden McGeady, Jonathan Walters; Wes Hoolahan; Robbie Keane
Scotland (4-4-1-1)
David Marshall; Steven Whittaker, Craig Forsyth, Russell Martin, Charlie Mulgrew; Scott Brown, Darren Fletcher, Shaun Maloney, Matt Ritchie; Steven Naismith; Steven Fletcher
Players to Watch
It was the most astutely worked of training-pitch manoeuvres that saw Shaun Maloney clinch the winner against the Republic of Ireland in November, and the playmaker will again be one to look out for in Dublin.
Now with Chicago Fire, Maloney describes that strike as the "highlight of my professional career," per BBC Sport's Richard Wilson, but he knows it will count for nought unless Scotland clinch a place at Euro 2016:
"It will be a similar match but I can't see a set piece like that happening again. They were good memories in November and hopefully it will be the same again.
At the moment [the goal is the highlight of international career], but I'm obviously hoping there will be some more and a positive ending to qualifying campaign. That night and that moment for myself and the team was special.
"
Maloney's move to Major League Soccer makes him the only player among Strachan's ranks based outside of Europe, but there are few among Scotland's ranks more dedicated to the cause than he.
The 40-cap veteran may not be able to match the individual feats managed at Celtic Park in last year's encounter, but as long as the three points go to Scotland, Maloney won't care much.
Key Battle
James McCarthy vs. Steven Naismith
Everton will be especially intrigued to see two of their most prominent stars do battle at the Aviva Stadium this weekend as James McCarthy hopes to quell the threat of one Steven Naismith.
Both players were critical for the Toffees in their Premier League revival during the latter half of the 2014-15 campaign, but allies turn enemies for the sake of Saturday's tense international fray.
Naismith will most likely sit behind front man Steven Fletcher in the No. 10 role, but McCarthy is an adept talent in shutting down players of that nature through a mix of grit and more nuanced attributes.
The familiarity both players share from their club association merely makes the meeting that much more fierce, and the race is on to see who can out-fox who in a bid to silence their Toffees team-mate.
