Republic of Ireland’s Martin O’Neill ‘not bothered’ by Wales being favourites
• Wales intend O’Neill’s players to face the music in Cardiff
It is up for grabs now. Wales host the Republic of Ireland at the Cardiff City Stadiumon Monday with each set of supporters still a little dizzy after several days’ performing needless mental acrobatics in a bid to understand the permutations required for their side either to qualify for Russia as group winners or to make the play-offs as one of the eight top second-placed sides.
Scotland’s draw against Slovenia means those furrowed brows, pub arguments and spreadsheets were in vain. In a group led by Serbia, with Wales in second place and the Republic third, things could scarcely be more simple: victory for either side in Cardiff will guarantee them at least a play-off place, while a draw could still be enough for Wales depending on Croatia’s result in Ukraine. Should Serbia lose against Georgia in Belgrade, the victors in Cardiff will top Group D and qualify automatically for Russia. Defeat is unthinkable.
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