Euro 2020 qualifiers: Georgia v Ireland preview, free tip & TV details

Football tips, best bets and predictions for Georgia v Ireland in Euro 2020 qualifying.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Main Event and Football, 2pm Saturday

Best bet

C Robinson first scorer
1pt 9-1 Betway

Back this tip with Paddy Power

Team news

Georgia
Giorgi Chakvetadze has not played since April due to a long-term knee injury.

Ireland
Shane Duffy hopes to shake off a calf injury but David McGoldrick (groin) will not be quite ready and Richard Keogh (knee) is out long-term. Enda Stevens serves a one-game ban.

Match preview

Ireland have done an excellent job of grinding out results in Euro 2020 Qualifying Group D and are narrow favourites to come through a tricky fixture away to Georgia with maximum points.

As the section's third seeds, Ireland have not been overburdened by expectation but they have showed their steely side with 1-1 draws away to Denmark and at home to Switzerland and have an excellent chance of qualifying for the finals.

Tuesday's Geneva showdown with the Swiss and next month's Dublin date with the Danes have the look of pivotal fixtures, but Ireland's immediate focus will be on the task in Tbilisi, which is far from straightforward.

Georgia have historically been guilty of not making the most of their talent and will be disappointed with their efforts in qualifying, which have seen them register one win, one draw and three defeats.

However, they drew 0-0 at home to Denmark last month and fought hard when losing 1-0 away to Ireland in March, when both teams had 13 shots.

Georgia appear out of the running for a top-two finish and their thoughts may be starting to drift towards the Euro 2020 qualifying playoffs in March next year.

The Georgians guaranteed their place in that event by finishing top of Nations League D Group One and they may view the remaining Euro 2020 qualifying games as little more than useful warm-up exercises for the key games next year.

Their squad has talent and Ireland will have to pay close attention to winger Valeri Qazaishvili – a key player for MLS side San Jose Earthquakes – and Spartak Moscow attacking midfielder Jano Ananidze, who has netted seven goals in 43 internationals.

But Georgia's football is often more expressive than effective and it is telling that only Qazaishvili (ten goals in 42 matches) has reached double figures at international level.

Ireland are the opposite in many ways. Their pragmatic football can be hard to watch but they have a knack of getting the results they require.

However, there has been a lack of goals since Robbie Keane's retirement and Irish fans are keeping their fingers crossed that rising star Aaron Connolly may fill the void.

The 19-year-old has made rapid strides at Brighton this season and netted twice in last Saturday's 3-0 success at home to Tottenham.

Ireland manager Mick McCarthy must decide whether to start Connolly or use him as an impact substitute.

McCarthy will have to make at least three enforced changes from the last competitive game with centre-back Richard Keogh (knee) and centre-forward David McGoldrick (groin) injured and left-back Enda Stevens suspended, but Sheffield United attacker Callum Robinson looks set to stay in the side.

Robinson has not scored in his first nine internationals but he has improved over the last few seasons and it should be a matter of time before he does the business at international level.

The 24-year-old has started seven of eight Premier League games for Sheffield United this term and looks a shade overpriced to net the first goal.

Key stat

Ireland are unbeaten in their last eight matches.

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