Republic of Ireland vs Norway

The two European nations that failed to qualify for the upcoming World Cup in Qatar are set to lock horns at the Aviva Stadium as the Republic of Ireland and Norway face each other in a low-profile friendly.

Ireland’s busted attempt to reach the World Cup finals for the first time since 2002 added insult to injury after the team missed out on last year’s Euro 2020. Manager Stephen Kenny has seemingly failed to retool his squad, with the ‘Boys in Green’ finishing third in their 2022/23 Nations League group behind Scotland and Ukraine (W2, D1, L3). A 3-2 home triumph over minnows Armenia last time out at least offered some hope to those back home, halting Ireland’s run of back-to-back winless games (D1, L1). With both teams scoring in each of Ireland’s three internationals preceding this fixture, action on both ends of the pitch could highlight the first encounter between these two teams since 2010.

Interestingly, the last two meetings between Ireland and Norway have seen both sides on the scoresheet, which has been the case in three of the visitors’ five internationals ahead of this trip (W2, D1, L2). But after going unbeaten in six consecutive matches at the start of this calendar year (W5, D1), the Norwegians have lost the last two in a row. Particularly vulnerable after the break, three of the four goals they conceded in those defeats came beyond halftime. Norway’s indifferent four-game form on hostile turf (W2, L2) cannot inspire much confidence in the travelling camp. But having lost just once in their four previous away H2Hs against Ireland (W1, D2), they should still feel comfortable.