- 1 Republic of Ireland vs Israel: the rematch, eight days and one 3-0 later
- 2 Republic of Ireland Analysis
- 3 Israel Analysis
- 4 Free Football Prediction: Republic of Ireland vs Israel
- 5 About our free predictions
- 6 No commitment from us
- 7 Information changes
- 8 Your responsibility
- 9 Responsible gambling
- 10 Legal age
- 11 About visuals
Republic of Ireland vs Israel: the rematch, eight days and one 3-0 later 
The Republic of Ireland face Israel on Sunday 4 October in League B Group 3 of the UEFA Nations League, with kick-off at 20:45 Paris time. The match takes place on neutral ground in Backa Topola, Serbia, with Ireland as the designated home side.
The setting is unusual. The Football Faithful reports that the game is played behind closed doors because of security concerns, the second meeting in eight days to be staged away from either country.
The first one, in Debrecen, Hungary, set the tone. Ireland won 3-0, with all three goals coming in the first half, and Troy Parrott scored his seventh goal in five competitive games.
The group standings frame the stakes. Ireland have four points after a 1-0 loss in Kosovo, that 3-0 win and a 2-2 draw with Austria, while Israel are bottom on one point.
The calendar adds pressure on both sides. Ireland finish the group in November away to Austria and at home to Kosovo, so a win here is close to essential to stay in the race for the top two.
Israel are fighting at the other end. Sports Mole notes that they face a real battle to avoid a second Nations League relegation, after dropping out of League A in 2024.
The market reflects the gap shown last week. The Republic of Ireland are priced at 1.95 with Betfred and William Hill, the draw between 3.20 and 3.45, and Israel between 3.60 and 3.90.
The comparative data available is limited, but it is clear. The Football Faithful notes that Ireland take 1.33 points per game in this Nations League campaign, against 0.33 for Israel.
Both teams arrive with depleted squads, which makes attacking form more decisive than usual. That is the angle we follow through both team sections below.
Republic of Ireland Analysis 
Ireland’s campaign has followed a clear upward line. They managed just one shot on target in the opening defeat in Kosovo, then produced their best half of football of the window against Israel.
The Austria game confirmed the progress. Parrott scored a solo goal and a penalty was converted to give Ireland a half-time lead, before Austria made changes and pulled back to 2-2.
Parrott is the central figure of this team. Sports Mole counts nine goals in his last six competitive games for Ireland, plus two for his new club Real Betis in limited minutes this season.
He is not the only source of goals. Jack Moylan has scored four times in his first five international appearances and could feature again behind or alongside the front line.
The squad is stretched, though. Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side are playing four games in 11 days, and James Abankwah is suspended for this match.
The absence list is significant. Gavin Bazunu is not travelling, while Seamus Coleman and captain Nathan Collins were already unavailable.
The Football Faithful puts Ireland’s Nations League scoring rate at 1.67 goals per match, against 0.33 for Israel. That attacking gap is the main reason Ireland are favourites again.
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Israel Analysis 
Israel’s return to League B has been difficult. They lost 3-1 to Austria in Linz, were beaten 3-0 by Ireland, then drew 0-0 with Kosovo on Thursday for their only point.
The attacking output is the main concern. Israel have scored once in the group, through Sayed Abu Farchi against Austria, and he was then sent off for a second yellow card after his celebration.
The wider form is just as weak. Ran Ben Shimon’s side have lost five of their last seven competitive games, and Sports Mole notes they now sit 76th in the FIFA rankings.
The defense has not compensated. The Football Faithful reports that Israel concede two goals per Nations League match, a record Ireland exploited directly last week.
The injury list makes the task harder. Goalkeeper Daniel Peretz has withdrawn with a groin injury, so Omri Glazer or Assaf Tzur will start, and midfielder Mohammad Abu Fani is also out.
The creative load falls on a small group. Ajax playmaker Oscar Gloukh and captain Dor Peretz are expected to support a forward line chosen from Abu Farchi, Tai Baribo and Dor Turgeman.
The Kosovo draw did show some defensive resilience. That clean sheet is the one argument for Israel, but it came against a side that is also not prolific, and it was not matched by any attacking threat.
Probable lineup Republic of Ireland: Kelleher; Egan, O’Shea, Scales; O’Brien, Coventry, Molumby, Manning; Moylan; Idah, Parrott (Sports Mole)
Probable lineup Israel: Glazer; Stoinov, Nachimas, Shlomo; Khalaily, E. Peretz, Do. Peretz, Revivo; Solomon, Gloukh; Turgeman (Sports Mole)
Free Football Prediction: Republic of Ireland vs Israel
Our prediction: Republic of Ireland to win at 1.95
The evidence from eight days ago is the strongest argument available: Ireland scored three times in one half against this Israel side, and nothing in Israel’s results since suggests the gap has closed. Israel have one goal in the group, a depleted squad and a stand-in goalkeeper.
Ireland’s own absences and the heavy schedule are real, but Parrott and Moylan give them a reliable route to goal. Sports Mole predicts a 2-1 Ireland win, and The Football Faithful also selects the Irish victory.
At 1.95, the price is generous for a side that dominated the reverse fixture and needs the points to stay in contention. We back the Republic of Ireland to win.
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