The schedule of matches in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland’s World Cup Qualifying Groups will be determined today with both sides having two games in each of the five windows set aside in March, September, October and November.
Portugal, Serbia, Luxembourg and Azerbaijan are the four opponents for Stephen Kenny’s side in Group A, while Northern Ireland will take on Italy, Switzerland, Bulgaria and Lithuania in Group C.
Since 1990 we have three wins, three losses and two draws against Portugal and two losses and three draws against Serbia. We have not played Luxembourg since 1987 but have a five-win, 100 per cent record against them. We have never played against Azerbaijan.
Portugal, Serbia and Luxembourg will have an Irish style sense of Deja Vu having been drawn against each other in the Euro 2020 qualification group.
They came second, third and fourth to Ukraine in that group but familiarity may mean they will take points from each other.
Luxembourg got a win and a draw against Lithuania while they only went down by single goal margins to Ukraine, the one at home coming only in the 93rd minute.
Azerbaijan scored only two goals in their recent Nations League games but did beat Cyprus 1-0 and secured three 0-0 draws.
Portugal is the only team to have qualified for the Euro 2020 Finals in Group A so a match against them in the window straight after the summer would be a good outcome on previous history.
Italy are the number one seed in Northern Ireland’s group and will be smarting from failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.
The last time the sides met in the World Cup was in 1958 when Northern Ireland won 2-1.
The winner of each of the ten groups will secure qualification for the Finals in Qatar in two years time from now.
The ten runners up will then go into playoffs, along with the two highest-ranked teams from the Nations League that have not secured a Top Two place.
The twelve teams will be in three groups of four with semi-finals and a Final, just as was the case with the Euro’s.
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