The Republic of Ireland welcome Gibraltar to the country for the first time, as Martin O'Neill and his side will be looking to make it two wins from two in the EURO 2016 Group D.

The game is only the seventh in the history of Gibraltar, who were only accepted into UEFA in November of last year. Since then, they have gone on to draw two and lose three, as well as securing a famous first victory against Malta, back in June. They come into the match off the back of a heavy defeat in their opening qualifier against Poland. Despite only being 1-0 down at half-time, Robert Lewandowski grabbed four as Poland ran out 7-0 winners, topping the group.

The Republic of Ireland started their group stage with a nervy 2-1 victory over Georgia, thanks to an Aiden McGeady wonder goal in the final minute. Ireland are looking to qualify for two consecutive EURO championships for the first time ever, having only qualified twice previously (2012, 1988). It is also a chance for O'Neill, who has Roy Keane as his assistant, to get their third straight win in all matches, previously beating Oman and Georgia. 

Gibraltar is a game we'd be expected to win but it will be difficult enough for us.

Ireland will feel that they have a good chance of qualifying from their group, with Germany and Poland being the two major threats to their chances. O'Neill has warned fans not to get carried away and think the game will be easy, maintaining that Gibraltar will not give the Irish an easy game. The challenge will be made more difficult through the absence of Everton duo James McCarthy and Seamus Coleman, who have both been ruled out of the match.

Both sides have difficult run-ins to the year's end. Ireland travel to Gelsenkirchen to face World Cup holders Germany, just three days after their game with Gibraltar. The Boys In Green then face Scotland in a highly-anticipated match to be played in Glasgow, before facing the US in a friendly match as the internationals end in November. 

Gibraltar, on the other hand, face two matches against Georgia and Germany after their showdown with Ireland, games which they are expected to lose heavily, though will hope to shock their doubters.

  • Republic of Ireland provisional squad (37 players):

  •  
  • Goalkeepers: David Forde, Shay Given, Keiren Westwood, Darren Randolph, Rob Elliot.
  •  
  • Defenders: Richard Keogh, Marc Wilson, Seamus Coleman, John O'Shea, Alex Pearce, Stephen Kelly, Paul McShane, Damien Delaney, Shane Duffy, Ciaran Clark, Stephen Ward.
  •  
  • Midfielders: James McCarthy, Jeff Hendrick, Glenn Whelan, Darron Gibson, Andy Reid, Paul Green, Aiden McGeady, Anthony Pilkington, James McClean, Robbie Brady, Stephen Quinn, David Meyler, Wes Hoolahan. 
  •  
  • Forwards: Robbie Keane, Shane Long, Daryl Murphy, Jon Walters, Kevin Doyle , Anthony Stokes, Simon Cox, Conor Sammon.
  •  

  • Gibraltar provisional squad (20 players):

  •  
  • Goalkeepers: Jordan Perez, Jamie Robba
  •  
  • Defenders: Scott Wiseman, Roy Chipolina, Ryan Casciaro, David Artell, Jean Carlos Garcia, John Jack Sergeant, Joseph Chipolina, Yogen Santos.
  •  
  • Midfielders: Liam Walker, Brian Perez, Jeremy Lopez, Jake Gosling, Anthony Hernandez, Rafa Bado, Aaron Payas, Robert Guiling, Jamie Bosio.
  •  
  • Strikers: Kyle Casciaro, Lee Casciaro, Adam Priestley.