The Estadio Algarve in Portugal plays host to a Euro 2024 qualifying basement battle on Monday, as Gibraltar pit their wits against the Republic of Ireland in Group B.

Stephen Kenny's side were condemned to finish outside the bottom two with a 2-0 loss to Greece last time out, while the 'hosts' were thumped 4-0 in a friendly by Wales.

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Already left to rue yet another miserable qualifying campaign for a major tournament, Gibraltar took a welcome break from their Group B endeavours to meet Wales at the Racecourse Ground in Thursday's friendly, but Julio Ribas once again witnessed a chastening defeat.

A nightmare first half for the visitors saw Kieffer Moore net twice alongside efforts from Ben Davies and Nathan Broadhead, although keeping the Dragons - albeit a much-changed Dragons - at bay for the entire second half represents a commendable achievement for the minnows.

On the back of a seventh successive defeat in all competitions - during which time they have conceded 22 goals while failing to make the net bulge once - Gibraltar are approaching the finish line in Euros qualifying, where the die had been cast for Ribas's team some time ago.

Lying at the foot of the rankings with zero points and zero goals to their name - unwanted statistics only shared by perennial whipping boys San Marino - Gibraltar have conceded at least three goals in each of their five qualifying defeats so far and are still waiting for their first-ever positive result in Euros qualifying.

It is still mathematically possible for the world's 198th-ranked nation to usurp Ireland and the Netherlands to finish in third place, but with clashes against France and the Dutch to come in November, Gibraltar - who are playing at their temporary Portuguese home while the Victoria Stadium undergoes renovations - are set for a painful end to another doomed continental run.

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Los Llanis' next assignment comes against a morale-depleted Ireland crop who find themselves just three points better off than their bruised and battered hosts, having seen their fleeting chances of a top-two finish evaporate with a dampening home defeat at the hands of Greece on Friday.

Despite hitting the post through Evan Ferguson in the opening exchanges, early pressure counted for nought for Stephen Kenny's men, as Greece went ahead through Georgios Giakoumakis's bullet header before Georgios Masouras swivelled and finished on the cusp of half time.

A few boos were heard in Dublin as Ireland's hopes of a fourth Euros qualification suffered another damaging blow, and third place in the group - along with a potential shot at redemption in the playoffs - is now the best that the Boys in Green can hope for.

On the back of losing five of their six Group B matches so far - including each of their last three - the long-term future of head coach Kenny has been plunged into fresh doubt, but the under-fire coach should salvage at least a remote sense of pride in Portugal.

Indeed, Ireland's only victory in qualifying so far was a 3-0 beating of Gibraltar back in June - a result which made it five wins from five in this fixture for the Boys in Green, all of which have come in Euros qualifying - and Los Llanis are yet to register their first goal against Group B counterparts.

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Still boasting a plethora of experienced names in the squad - except for 38-year-old Scott Wiseman, who called it a day after June's meeting with Ireland - Gibraltar ought to line up in their defence-heavy setup for the visit of the Irish.

Two of those veterans - 40-year-old captain Roy Chipolina and 35-year-old Liam Walker - remain at the top of their nation's scoring charts with five goals apiece, and the former could be joined in the backline by Louie Annesley, who plies his trade for Dundalk.

Arguably the most promising youngster to emerge from the Llanis ranks, 18-year-old Nicholas Pozo - who represents the Cadiz Juvenil team - should win his ninth cap in the middle of the park.

Meanwhile, one small positive for Ireland boss Kenny on Thursday was that his side emerged from their loss to Greece without any new injuries, although Aaron Connolly and Sammie Szmodics both left the camp prior to that recent defeat.

A first-ever senior cap came the way of Celtic defender Liam Scales at the Aviva Stadium, although he flattered to deceive on the left-hand side before being moved to a central role thanks to Nathan Collins's half-time withdrawal for Ryan Manning.

Alterations will no doubt be considered by Kenny given Thursday's embarrassment and calibre of opposition, which could open the door for Adam Idah, Mikey Johnston and one-cap man Mark Sykes to impress in the green strip.

Gibraltar possible starting lineup:
Coleing; Sergeant, Annesley, R. Chipolina, Mouelhi, Britto; Walker, Pozo, Jolley, Ronan; De Barr

Republic of Ireland possible starting lineup:
Bazunu; Doherty, O'Shea, Scales, Manning; Ebosele, Smallbone, Cullen, Johnston; Idah, Ferguson

We say: Gibraltar 0-2 Republic of Ireland

With the added disadvantage of not playing at their regular headquarters, a sixth defeat from six is surely on the cards for Gibraltar, whose unsightly goalless streak is also set to continue at the Estadio Algarve.

Confidence is hardly high in the Irish camp either, and calls for Kenny to be given the boot will only grow louder if Gibraltar can pull off a sensational giant killing, but the Boys in Green should get the job done with minimal fuss.


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Written by
Ben Knapton

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