" It’s been a very promising year for the Republic of Ireland - they have defeated the Czech Republic, Romania and the Netherlands in recent friendly matches and have done well in their first two Germany 2006 qualifiers -- a 3-0 victory over Cyprus and a 1-1 draw in Switzerland. New French coach Domenech has decided to ring the changes, making several alterations to the side that disappointed with a 0-0 draw against Israel last month. Though they rebounded to beat the Faroe Islands 2-0, France have not looked their sparkling selves for quite some time -- not just in Germany 2006 qualifying.

In defence Mikael Silvestre is back after missing out on last month’s matches. His rugged physicality and snappy timing will be vital to control a spry Irish front line booosted by the form of strikers Clinton Morrison and Robbie Keane. Johnson would have been my 1st choice for a striker and while I don't know much of Lescott if what the Wolves fans say is only half true then we have a star on our hands!
Just hope we still have some money left because while we have some good midfielders individually they in my opinion form a very weak unit! We are crying out for a defensive midfielder that can go box to box and without it we are totally unbalanced as a 4 in midfield. What does everyone make of this David Thompson link today then? I'd be quite happy to take him on a 12 month contract - as he was a great player a couple of years ago, and i'm sure Moyes could get the best out of him again.

As for the Jeffers links - I don't think we should touch him with a barge pole - let the club down when he went to Arsenal, done nothing for the last 5 years and now wants to walk back into the club. We don't need another striker at the moment - Mcfadden on the bench is good enough as a reserve i think.

For me, this is definitely not a nailed on home win, the French team have not recovered with the retirement of midfield kingpins Zinedine Zidane and Claude Makelele, and they will also miss Patrick Vieira who is serving out a suspension. French coach Domenech is still very much in a process of experimentation with his French squad, and they have only taken four points from their opening pair of winnable qualifying matches (Israel 0-0, Faroe Islands 3-0). Ireland have started well and are playing with confidence, with a 3-0 win over Cyprus and a 1-1 draw at Switzerland, and I think they can get a draw here. Go with the DRAW at a huge 3/1 with Corals [£10 Free Bet] - Big odds available here - France are stuttering and have not impressed so far. "

	NEW BETTING OFFER:
	Get a Free £25 Bet with Stanleybet! Click Here!

This weeks other Previews :

Sat Oct 09 2004 England v Wales TO RUN Sat Oct 09 2004 Scotland v Norway TO RUN Sat Oct 09 2004 France v Rep of Ireland TO RUN Sat Oct 09 2004 FYR_Macedonia v Holland TO RUN Sat Oct 09 2004 Spain v Belgium TO RUN Sat Oct 09 2004 Sweden v Hungary TO RUN