Republic of Ireland play host to Scotland on Saturday evening having suffered back-to-back defeats at the start of their UEFA Nations League campaign.

While the home side have made the worst possible start to League B Group 1, Scotland sit top of the standings after victory over Armenia on Wednesday night.

Match preview

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On the back of an eight-match unbeaten streak, optimism was high in the Republic of Ireland camp ahead of featuring in a group with several well-match teams.

However, successive losses to Armenia and Ukraine without troubling the scoresheet have left Stephen Kenny's team facing the realistic possibility of being cut adrift at the bottom of the group.

With the reverse fixture against group minnows Armenia not coming until the final matchday, Republic of Ireland need to find a few extra gears in their remaining games with Scotland and Ukraine.

Even with the latter of those nations fielding a much-changed team on Wednesday, they were well worth their 1-0 victory, the decisive goal coming from Viktor Tsyhankov just after half time.

It has been almost seven years to the day since these nations last met in Dublin, an own goal from John O'Shea gifting Scotland a 1-1 draw on away territory.

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The Tartan Army will be hoping to rely on their own players to score the goals on this occasion having put together one of the best away runs in their recent history.

Scotland have collected three wins and a draw from their last four games on their travels, victories over Austria, Faroe Islands and Moldova being followed by a draw in a second fixture in Austria.

The disappointment of failing to qualify for the World Cup still lingers for Steve Clarke's team, but they responded in the best possible way on Wednesday as they defeated Armenia.

Anthony Ralston and Scott McKenna both got on the scoresheet, the pair netting their first goals for their country in ending a three-match winless streak.

Team News

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Kenny is hopeful that Seamus Coleman could recover from a groin injury in time to feature in this contest.

John Egan is also a fitness doubt after coming off against Ukraine, leaving Dara O'Shea in line to take his spot in the back three.

Kenny may also feel the need to tinker with his attack with Michael Obafemi the most likely to be given a chance down the centre.

Scott McTominay may be among a number of players who are restored to the Scotland side, either in defence or central midfield.

Aaron Hickey is an option at left wing-back if Andrew Robertson is handed a rest, but Nathan Patterson will remain on the substitutes' bench after his return from an ankle injury.

Republic of Ireland possible starting lineup:
Kelleher; O'Shea, Collins, Duffy; Christie, Cullen, Hendrick, Stevens; Robinson, Obafemi, Knight

Scotland possible starting lineup:
Gordon; McTominay, Hendry, McKenna; Ralston, McGinn, McGregor, Robertson; Armstrong, Adams, Christie

We say: Republic of Ireland 1-1 Scotland

Despite their dismal Nations League record, Republic of Ireland will hope to have a change of fortunes at some stage. While that may not necessarily come on Saturday, we feel that the Green Army will do enough to claim a hard-earned share of the spoils in a tight match.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

Written by
Darren Plant

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