Bluffer’s guide to Ireland’s prospects

What to say:

“I think Ireland can get at Belgium on the flanks because they play with two centre-backs at full-back: Spurs pair Jan Vertonghen (left-back) and Toby Alderweireld (right-back) have looked good in the middle but are different players out wide. And in today’s game, all the best teams have top full-backs: think of players like Philipp Lahm, Jordi Alba, Dani Alves. Jon Walters could exploit this weakness.”

“Let’s hope Sweden coach Erik Hamren continues to overlook so many of the players who were part of Sweden’s Under-21 European Championship winning side. In qualifying, he kept faith with slow centre-backs Mikael Antonsson and Andreas Granqvist and the even slower Kim Kallstrom in midfield. Let’s hope the risk-averse boss doesn’t change his plans and put faith in the likes of Isaac Kiese Thelin, Abdullah Khalili or flair players Erkan Zengin and Jimmy Durmaz.”