SM
Watford vs. Leeds: 7 hrs 43 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data

The big talking points ahead of Ireland's clash with Serbia

:Headline: The big talking points ahead of Ireland's clash with Serbia:
Ireland are yet to win in eight games under their new manager.
Sports Mole

The Republic of Ireland launch their World Cup qualifying campaign in Serbia on Wednesday evening hoping for a change of fortune.

New manager Stephen Kenny is yet to taste victory since taking over from Mick McCarthy last summer and saw his side bow out of the Euro 2020 play-offs at the semi-final stage.

Here, the PA news agency takes a look at some of the talking points surrounding a testing trip to Belgrade.

Ninth time lucky?

Kenny was thrown straight in at the deep end as he presided over Nations League encounters with Bulgaria and Finland as a precursor to last October's Euro 2020 play-off semi-final trip to Slovakia, where his side were unfortunate to lose on penalties after a goalless draw. In all, his reign to date amounts to three draws and five defeats and while the odds may be against a first victory in Belgrade, a positive result would set his team up perfectly for Luxembourg's visit to the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

Keeping it real

Keeper Mark Travers will start for the Republic of Ireland in Belgrade (Niall Carson/PA)

Darren Randolph's absence through injury handed Kenny a big decision, with talent and potential not in short supply but experience an extremely rare commodity. In the event, 21-year-old Bournemouth goalkeeper Mark Travers, who has two friendly appearances under his belt for the senior team, got the nod ahead of Kieran O'Hara and the uncapped Gavin Bazunu, and all eyes will be on him at the Rajko Mitic Stadium.

Seamus it ever was?

Kenny's wait for a win has been due largely to the fact that his team have scored just once during his time in charge, Shane Duffy's injury-time equaliser in Bulgaria. The four specialist frontmen in his squad have only 18 Ireland goals between them and 17 of those have been scored by Shane Long, who has not registered for his country since his strike in Moldova in October 2016. Callum Robinson has a friendly goal against New Zealand to his name, while Aaron Connolly and Troy Parrott are yet to open their accounts.

Back to the future?

Republic of Ireland striker Daryl Murphy celebrates his late equaliser in Serbia (Nick Potts/PA)

Ireland have played only one competitive game in Serbia since the break-up of the former Yugoslavia, a 2-2 World Cup qualifying draw in September 2016. They got off to the perfect start when Branislav Ivanovic deflected Jeff Hendrick's shot into his own net, but trailed 2-1 thanks to Filip Kostic's strike and a Dusan Tadic penalty. However, Daryl Murphy snatched a point with his first senior international goal in his 24th appearance as the visitors rode their luck to emerge with tangible reward.

body check tags ::

amp_article__440419 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2021-03-23 15:42:36:
html db last update - 2021-03-23 15:36:20 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html
Share this article now:
NU
Read Next:
Ciaran Clark banking on Wilson, Saint-Maximin to keep Newcastle up
>


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Read more about Stephen Kenny Mark Travers Shane Long Seamus Coleman Gavin Bazunu Football
Follow @SportsMole for the latest breaking news stories, and follow @sm_headlines to get every headline from Sports Mole
Recommended Next on SM
Ciaran Clark banking on Wilson, Saint-Maximin to keep Newcastle up
Liverpool 'resigned to missing out on top managerial candidate'

Page options

Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Man City quoted £86m for "exceptional" Newcastle man?

1

MC

Arsenal 'suffer blow in pursuit of PSG attacker'

2

A'

Preview: Alaves vs. Real Sociedad - prediction, team news, lineups

NEW

3

PA

Liverpool 'resigned to missing out on top managerial candidate'

4

L'

Arsenal 'optimistic over triple injury boost for Man City clash'

5

A'

Preview: Barcelona vs. Las Palmas - prediction, team news, lineups

6

PB

Man City injury, suspension list vs. Arsenal - De Bruyne, Stones and more

7

MC

Preview: Chelsea vs. Burnley - prediction, team news, lineups

8

PC

How Chelsea could line up against Burnley

9

HC

Key Man City duo miss training ahead of Arsenal title clash

10

KM


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .