Prediction: Republic of Ireland vs Uruguay

Verdict: Away win

Best Odds:29/20

Bookmaker: Bet 365

The Republic of Ireland host Uruguay in an international friendly at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday. Both sides will be using the match to prepare for their upcoming 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying fixtures.

Republic of Ireland

Martin O’Neill’s fringe players were taught a lesson by an excellent Mexico team when they lost 3-1 on Friday morning. In truth, it was a mismatch given the fact the Republic of Ireland had a lot of first team players missing, but it was still a harsh reality of how far they’ve got to go before they can compete with the world’s best teams. Sunday’s game against Uruguay won’t be much easier but at least they will have some big names returning that could give them chance of being more competitive than they was at the MetLife Stadium. It was Ireland’s second defeat in a row after losing to Iceland 1-0 in March and is now three matches without a win for the Boys in Green. Even though they seem to be suffering from a little dip in form, they will still be confident of qualifying from Group D when they kick-start their campaign against Austria in June. O’Neill’s men are joint top of the table with Serbia and will be hoping to use the game versus Uruguay to build some much-needed momentum.

Team News

Martin O’Neill has brought in nine players for the friendly, including experienced internationals Robbie Brady, John O’Shea, Jeff Hendrick, Glenn Whelan and Jon Walters.

Uruguay

Even though they boast two of the best strikers in the world in Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez, it is now three defeats in a row for Oscar Tabarez’s men. Alarmingly, all of those have come in Uruguay’s World Cup qualifying group and they will need to recapture their early form in the campaign if they are to have any chance of being on the plane to Russia next year. The South American team are third in the table, one point behind second placed Columbia and 10 points adrift of leaders Brazil. If Uruguay are to win the match for a much needed confidence boost then they will have to do it without Suarez who is out due to a thigh injury. However, his presence may not be missed too much given the fact they can rely on Cavani’s influence up front with the striker bagging 49 goals this season for Paris Saint-Germain. La Celeste’s next qualifying game is not until they play Argentina in August which will be a massive game for both sides, but much like Ireland, they will see this match as crucial preparation for their World Cup hopes.

Team News

Luis Suarez is out with a thigh injury.

Cristian Rodriguez, Arevalo Rios and Alvaro Gonzalez will provide the support behind striker Edinson Cavani.

Key Factors to Consider

• It is now three games without a win for Ireland (D1 L2)
• The Boys in Green have only scored once in that period
• Uruguay have lost three games in a row
• Edinson Cavani has now scored 47 goals in as many games at domestic level this season
• Ireland haven’t beaten Uruguay in the three times they have played them (D1 L2)

Conclusion

Even though Uruguay don’t have Luis Suarez at their disposal, they should still possess too much firepower for Ireland. O’Neill’s men aren’t in a great run of form that hasn’t been helped with so many changes to their match day squad. Uruguay are also in a small run of bad form but they should get back to winning ways on Sunday night.

Verdict: Away win

Best Odds:29/20

Bookmaker:Bet 365