Luxembourg v Ireland predictions: Boys in Green can exact their revenge

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Luxembourg v Ireland in World Cup qualifying Group A on Sunday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Football, 7.45pm Sunday

Team news

Luxembourg
Dirk Carlson is suspended while captain Laurent Jans is likely to play despite carrying a foot injury.

Ireland
Uncapped Peterborough midfielder Jack Taylor and Norwich defender Andrew Omobamidele have been added to the squad.

Best bet

Ireland
1pt 6-5 Betfred

Match preview

Ireland hit rock bottom when beaten at home by Luxembourg in March but having emerged from that pit of despair, they look well placed to extract a measure of revenge.

Gerson Rodrigues’ long-range strike five minutes from time secured a famous win for the minnows at an empty Aviva Stadium earlier in the year, skipper Seamus Coleman describing the night as “horrible and embarrassing” in the aftermath.

Head coach Stephen Kenny was fortunate to survive the aftermath of that infamous defeat but the Football Association of Ireland’s decision to stand by their man was the right one with Kenny having slowly righted the Boys in Green’s ship.

Since the Luxembourg debacle, Ireland have lost only one of their last nine matches, a run of results that features a pair of respectable draws against Serbia and Portugal as they've salvaged some pride from an otherwise forgettable qualification campaign.

Thursday’s goalless draw at home to the Portuguese was arguably the best performance Ireland have produced under Kenny, the hosts coming close to securing a memorable triumph when Matt Doherty struck late on, only for the goal to be disallowed.

As Cristiano Ronaldo and co found out, Kenny has made Ireland tough to beat once more, while bringing through a few fresh talents to reinvigorate the squad - Gavin Bazunu, Chiedozie Ogbene and Josh Cullen all impressing against Portugal.

Ireland have also shown an improved cutting edge - they struggled for goals during Kenny’s early days - and have netted in seven of their last nine.

It’s a team that looks far more prepared to face a Luxembourg side enjoying their best World Cup qualifying campaign. They sit three points ahead of Ireland in third after comfortably seeing off ten-man Azerbaijan 3-1 away from home on Thursday.

Rodrigues was at it again in Baku, bagging a brace, but he isn't the only Luxemburg talent that poses a threat to Ireland with Danel Sinani having caught the eye for loan side Huddersfield Town this season.

Luxembourg aren’t to be underestimated any more and Ireland found that out the hard way, but they have a chance to make amends for their mistake.

Ireland won’t often have been odds-against to beat Luxembourg and it looks too good an opportunity to pass up given the motivation they posses to defeat a home side that has lost six of their last ten outings.

Key stat

Ireland have lost only four of their last 30 away World Cup qualifiers.

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