Ireland’s opponents for tonight’s clash, Poland, arrive in Dublin as Group D leaders and will be anxious to maintain their three-point lead in the race for qualification for EURO 2016.
Coach Adam Nawałka will be intent on taking something from the game and will, no doubt, take a more cautious approach away from home.
The visitors are likely to set up with a strong emphasis on their defence and will be hoping that their quality front-line might grab something on the counter-attack as Ireland look to impress in front of their home crowd
So here's a look at Poland's probable XI to face Ireland in this vital European qualifier:
Artur Boruc
Like Ireland, a lot of talk in the Polish media is about the selection of the man between the posts for this encounter and tonight's opponents are truly spoilt for choice in this department. After almost single-handedly stopping the Germans in Poland’s victory over the world champions, it is hard to believe that Wojciech Szczesny is not guaranteed to be an automatic starter for the encounter.
Former Celtic cult hero Boruc looks favourite to start due to Szczesny’s lack of club form at Arsenal and the Bournemouth keeper is in fine form this season. Boruc is a very consistent keeper and excellent shot-stopper, while goalkeeper number three, Lukasz Fabiański, is also in good form for Swansea and would be an able deputy if called upon.
Paweł Olkowski
Likely to start in place of injured Borussia Dortmund defender Lukasz Piszczek, Olkowski is a tough-tackling defender who plies his trade in the Bundesliga. Olkowski has been a regular at FC Koln this season and has just signed a contract to keep him at the German club until 2019. The right-back will look to get forward and has several goals and assists at club level this season. Olkowski’s only outing so far for Poland in the qualifying campaign came in their facile 7-0 victory over Gibraltar.
Kamil Glik
The Torino centre-half is key to this Polish side and has looked impressive throughout the campaign. Glik will play alongside Lukazsz Szukala and is both pacey and strong in the air. The Torino captain has played every minute of Poland’s campaign so far and grabbed a goal in the 4-0 win over Georgia.
The centre-half is, however, prone to the odd mistimed tackle and could be tempted into a wild lunge if faced with the speed and movement of Ireland striker Shane Long.
Lukasz Szukala
Another ever-present in the Polish team, the 30-year-old defender will partner Glik in the centre of defence. Szukala plays his club football in Saudi Arabia with Ittihad FC, having spent the last three seasons at Steaua Bucharest.
A clean sheet against Germany was more down to the fine goalkeeper behind the defence, while Scotland opened them up on several occasions, scoring twice in the sides' 2-2 draw. Szukala should be targeted by the Ireland attack and his often poor positional play should leave gaps to go through.
Jakub Wawrzyniak
The Lechia Gdańsk defender will start due to left-back Artur Jędrzejczyk’s absence through injury. Wawrzyniak actually played in the 2-0 victory over Germany but was replaced by Jędrzejczyk for the Scotland and Georgia games.
The 31-year-old will be more than comfortable on the left side of defence and is prone to attack down the flank. From an Irish point of view, there will be space available in behind the Gdańsk defender and Martin O’Neill’s side should look to exploit it.
Sławomir Peszko
Another FC Koln player, Peszko is only set to play due to the injured Kamil Grosickis’ absence. Another who plays his football in the Bundesliga, Peszko is on the books at FC Koln but made his name in Poland with Wisla Plock and Lech Poznań. Peszko had a brief and largely unsuccessful loan spell at Wolves and made his international debut against Ireland in 2008 when Poland won 3-2 in a Croke Park friendly.
Tomasz Jodłowiec
Can play as a central midfielder or as a centre-half, the Legia Warsaw man is set to shore up the midfield against Ireland, playing alongside Sevilla's Grzegorz Krychowiak.
Jodłowiec was competing with Krzysztof Maczynski - the latter played against Scotland and Georgia but the China-based midfielder was only named on the reserve list for the trip to Dublin. So Jodlowiec looks set to play a similar role to the one he did against Germany, which might be an indication that the Polish boss will be keeping things tight in Dublin.
Grzegorz Krychowiak
One of Poland’s star players, the Sevilla midfielder has been an ever-present in the Group D leaders’ impressive start to the campaign. Krychowiak is a defensive midfielder by nature and will form a solid partnership with Jodlowiec to allow the creative unit in front to go on the attack once the ball has been won. Krychowiak can also pick a pass, which allows this Poland team to attack through the middle of the park, attempting to play through their opponents.
Maciej Rybus
The Terek Grozny man looks like he might get the nod ahead of Lechia Gdańsk Sebastian Mila and will operate on the left side of midfield, joining in with the formidable front-line of Arkadiusz Milik and Robert Lewandowski. Rybus will hug the wing and attack the perceived defensive weakness of Seamus Coleman if given the chance and his delivery will be key for danger-man Lewandowski in the box.
Arkadiusz Milik
A real threat for the Irish back four, the Ajax forward will play in the hole behind star striker Robert Lewandowski. With the Bayern striker keeping the two Ireland centre-halves busy, Milik will be free to roam in space and will need to be watched by the defensive midfielder. The Ajax man has a good eye for goal and will be keen to try his luck from distance at any opportunity.
Robert Lewandowski
This forward needs no introduction and will be Poland’s key man as he has proved his world-class credentials at both club and international level. The Bayern Munich striker is the ideal target man, as well as showing the touch, poise and composure to create a goal-scoring opportunity from the slightest opportunity in the penalty box. His conversion rate is pretty good as well.
