Nothing less than victory will do when the Republic of Ireland welcome Moldova to the Aviva Stadium for their final World Cup qualifier on home turf.
One point adrift of a Wales team currently occupying the play-off spot and who they face in Cardiff on Monday, Martin O'Neill's men are priced at 9/100 (1.09) with BetSafe to keep their challenge alive with a victory here.
Without a victory in 18 competitive fixtures, the Selectionata are 39/1 (40.00) outsiders to effectively end their opponents' qualification bid with a shock win in Dublin.
SportsfileThree of the hosts' last four qualifiers have resulted in draws, and there are odds of 44/5 (9.80) available on them being held to another stalemate in this one.
Having appeared in relatively good shape to at least book a play-off place after remaining unbeaten for the first seven group games, a 1-0 defeat at home to Serbia last time out has seriously damaged the Irish outlook.
That seven-match unbeaten streak has now been turned into four games without a win, while two points from the last three home games offers particular cause for concern.
To make matters worse, yellow cards for Robbie Brady and James McClean in the Serbia defeat means they must do without two of their most creative players for this potential banana skin against Igor Dobrovolski's side.
With Jonathan Walters also ruled out through injury, the Boys in Green are missing the players responsible for four of the last five goals they have scored in qualification games.
Having scored just three times in their last five group games to make it nine in eight in total, the home side seem unlikely to rack up the kind of morale-boosting scoreline they would like ahead of the crucial trip to Wales.
Instead, odds of 37/50 (1.74) look good on Moldova losing by no more than two goals for their 10th game in 11 when they take on an Irish side that has not won by more than two in 17 competitive fixtures.
| Moldova (+3) to win for a 2pt stake at 37/50 (1.74) with Betsafe |
