Three key battles: Czechia v Republic of Ireland 

There are set to be intriguing battles all over the pitch in Prague; here are three that could go a long way to deciding who comes out on top. 

Ireland midfiedler Jayson Molumby. Pic: Ryan Byrne/Inpho

Nathan Collins v Patrik Schick 

The Brentford man’s stock has usually been that bit higher with his club than his country given the habit of making the odd error but Collins found himself unable to get back into the Bees XI earlier this season after recovering from injury.

Ireland will need the best of him here as he goes up against Shick who, at 30 years of age, is an experienced and well-travelled pro of a striker with stints behind him in his native country, Italy and Germany.

A big guy who can hold play up, Schick is more than just a target man. He has played as a second striker in the past and out wide on the right, but his ratio of a goal almost every two games for his country make him central to Czechia’s approach here.

Jayson Molumby v Pavel Sulc 

We say Jayson Molumby here because, of all the similar midfield options Heimir Hallgrimsson has in the absence of the injured Josh Cullen, the Waterford man seems most likely to start, and most likely to pick up the Czech playmaker.

Sulc has blossomed since joining Olympique Lyon from Viktoria Plzen. Eleven goals in 22 games this season for the French club demonstrate just how dangerous the attacking midfielder can, be even if match fitness is in question after recent injury.

Molumby started both games against Portugal and Hungary in November, the second when the suspended Cullen returned to the side, and his aggressive style off the ball seems tailor-made for this key assignment.

Troy Parrott v Ladislav Krejci 

It falls to the Wolves centre-back and Czechia’s new captain to keep tabs on one of Europe’s hottest strikers. Troy Parrott is the name on everyone’s lips. He’s also more or less the only Irish name anyone of a Czech persuasion is mentioning here this week.

Krejci is 26 and a regular for Wolves during his season-long loan from Girona in Spain. He has played plenty of football in central midfield, and at European level, in the past, so he should be comfortable tracking the AZ Alkmaar man should some roaming be done.

Parrott’s form in the Netherlands is superb with 14 goals and four assists in his 23 appearances so far. And that’s not to mention his contributions for his country in that epic week last November. He’ll fancy his chances again here.