Russia v Ireland

Qualifying Group B for Euro 2012 is turning into a grizzly affair with every team having their troubles and four teams still in with a chance. The current top two fight it out on Tuesday afternoon when the Republic of Ireland face their toughest test on paper, an away trip to Moscow. Russia moved ahead of their next opponents after an unconvincing 1-0 home win over Macedonia on Friday. But the result was all that mattered as the Republic stuttered to a 0-0 stalemate with Slovakia in Dublin.

Now trailing by two points, Ireland need a positive result to stay in contention. Against Slovakia, Trapattoni’s side had a bad day at the office but they are capable of raising their game against high calibre opponents. In June they beat Italy 2-0 in Liege. Robbie Keane was guilty of missing at least one gilt-edged chance on Friday, but he can be expected to bounce back having passed the 50-goal mark for his country earlier in the summer.

But the greatest grounds for optimism lie with a defence that hasn’t conceded a single goal in six matches. Shay Given was already doing well for his country, but he has been re-invigorated by a summer transfer to Aston Villa with ensuing first team football.

The other good news is that Russia are not that special. Frequently unconvincing, the table-toppers are only in a position of strength because of a freakishly good first half in Dublin. Having raced into a 3-0 lead, they were, however, very fortunate to cling on after the Irish surged back to 3-2 with 12 minutes remaining. The boys in green should take great heart from that second half display and seek out revenge in Moscow. The vulnerabilities of the home side have further been demonstrated by a 1-0 defeat to Slovakia in Moscow almost exactly a year ago. And they were held by Armenia in March.

Ireland will be without Shane Long, but in Given, Dunne, Duff and Keane they have experience and potential match winners aplenty. Back Trapattoni’s side to give themselves a great chance of making the finals by winning at best odds of 4/1 with Coral.