The Republic of Ireland are just 90 minutes away from joining Northern Ireland, Wales, and England in qualifying for Euro 2016 staged in France. Sean Long’s 70th minute goal last Thursday in Dublin gave the Irish a famous victory over Germany and a real shot at automatic qualification for the finals. Poland could only draw 2-2 with Scotland last week, which now sets up a ‘winner takes all’ showdown today in Warsaw between the two sides. Three points for either side will send them through automatically with the loser forced to Play-Off for a chance at making it to France.
Head to head records are used to settle qualification when sides are level on points, so a 0-0 or 1-1 draw will send Poland through, but a 2-2 draw will give the Republic of Ireland second place as they will have scored more away goals in meetings between the two sides.
Brentford midfielder Alan Judge was called up to the final squad for both matches, but has yet to make his international debut.