Ireland need a reaction when they face Israel in their second Nations League fixture on Sunday night.
Heimir Hallgrímsson’s side made a poor start to Group B3 on Thursday, losing 1-0 away to Kosovo. The scoreline arguably flattered Ireland, with Caoimhín Kelleher making several important saves before Vedat Muriqi finally broke the deadlock in the 83rd minute.
Israel also started with a defeat, although their 3-1 loss in Austria had a little more chaos attached.
Saied Abu Farchi briefly levelled the game in the 55th minute before being sent off almost immediately afterwards. Austria eventually made the extra man count, scoring twice late on to turn 1-1 into a comfortable-looking victory.
That leaves both sides looking for their first points in Debrecen.
Ireland arrived at this international break on a seven-match unbeaten run. One flat night in Pristina doesn’t wipe that away, but another defeat would leave them playing catch-up remarkably early in the campaign.
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What are the best betting tips for Israel vs Republic of Ireland?
Draw
There isn’t much separating these sides after both lost their Nations League openers.
Ireland were poor in their 1-0 defeat to Kosovo, while Israel’s 3-1 loss in Austria was distorted by Saied Abu Farchi’s red card with the game at 1-1.
Ireland had been unbeaten in seven before Thursday and should improve. However, Manor Solomon and Oscar Gloukh give Israel enough quality to make backing either side difficult.
A point apiece looks a realistic outcome.
Under 2.5 goals
Ireland created very little against Kosovo, with Troy Parrott’s second-half header one of their few genuine openings.
Hallgrímsson prioritised keeping his side compact, and another cautious approach would make sense after such a disappointing opening result.
Israel’s defeat in Austria produced four goals, but it was still 1-1 before they went down to ten men.
With both sides keen to avoid starting the group with consecutive defeats, this could become another tight contest.
Troy Parrott 1+ shot on target
Parrott produced one of Ireland’s better efforts in Pristina, forcing Arijanet Murić into a save with a second-half header.
He should remain one of Ireland’s main attacking threats if he starts through the middle again.
Israel conceded three against Austria and weren’t completely secure even before the red card. Ireland need more attacking threat on Sunday, and asking their striker to register just one effort on target looks a reasonable line.
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What have the managers said?
Heimir Hallgrímsson
Hallgrímsson didn’t attempt to dress up Ireland’s performance after Thursday’s defeat.
“They were just better than us on the day.”
The Ireland boss admitted too many of his players were off their game and was particularly disappointed with how passive his side looked.
He also explained that the plan had been to keep things secure defensively.
“We wanted to be safe, we wanted to be compact and keep a clean sheet first and foremost.”
That approach almost earned Ireland a point, but Kosovo’s pressure eventually told.
Sunday now offers a very quick opportunity to respond.
Ran Ben Shimon
Israel boss Ran Ben Shimon set his target before the competition began: challenging for the top two positions in Group B3.
Despite the demanding schedule, he believes his team can compete with everyone in the group.
“We have the ability to beat any opponent in this group.”
Ben Shimon also stressed that he didn’t want his team becoming distracted by opposition absences, instead focusing on what Israel can control.
His immediate problem is Abu Farchi’s suspension after the forward was sent off against Austria on Thursday.
What is Israel’s predicted team?
(4-2-3-1) Daniel Peretz; Mizrahi, Nachmias, Stoinov, Revivo; Eliel Peretz, Dor Peretz; Khalaili, Gloukh, Solomon; Turgeman.
Injured: Omri Gandelman.
Suspended: Saied Abu Farchi.
Ben Shimon could keep much of the side that started in Austria, although a change is required up front after Abu Farchi’s red card.
Dor Turgeman is an obvious candidate to replace him after coming off the bench on Thursday. Daniel Peretz started in goal against Austria, while Gloukh and Solomon should again provide the main creative threat.
What is Ireland’s predicted team?
(3-4-2-1) Kelleher; O’Brien, Egan, O’Shea; Abankwah, Knight, Molumby, Scales; Ogbene, Azaz; Parrott.
Injured: Nathan Collins, Harvey Vale, Jamie McGrath.
Doubt: Bosun Lawal.
Hallgrímsson could make changes after admitting too many players were below their best against Kosovo.
However, Ireland have little recovery time and their options have already been reduced by injuries. Collins is missing the entire window, while Vale and McGrath withdrew before the opening fixture.
Kelleher certainly shouldn’t be going anywhere after keeping the score down in Pristina.
Parrott also did enough to warrant another opportunity through the middle, although Idah gives Hallgrímsson an alternative if he wants a more physical presence.
Israel vs Ireland prediction
Ireland can’t afford another performance like Thursday’s.
Kosovo repeatedly got through them and only Kelleher’s saves kept the game goalless for as long as it did. Hallgrímsson now has to find a way of making his team more threatening without losing the defensive structure he clearly values.
Israel have their own problems.
They conceded three in Austria, are without Abu Farchi through suspension and will again be playing away from Israel, with Sunday’s fixture taking place in Hungary.
Neither side looks particularly convincing after matchday one.
Ireland should improve, but backing them to suddenly turn Thursday’s performance into an away win feels a stretch. A tight game with very little between the sides looks more likely.
Score prediction: Israel 1-1 Ireland
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