Ireland U-21 vs Moldova U-21: Prediction, H2H, and probable lineups — March 26, 2026
On Thursday, the match in Dublin will be a pivotal moment for the Irish youth team in their pursuit of a spot at Euro 2027. Ireland will host their Moldovan peers in the eighth round of the qualifiers. After several recent setbacks, the hosts desperately need a win to avoid letting England and Slovakia pull away at the top of the group.
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Match preview
Ireland, under Jim Crawford, approach this clash with some significant changes. The squad is without their captain, James Abankwah, who has been called up to the senior national team. Crawford has also brought in four new faces, with Benfica’s Jayden Umeh standing out among the newcomers. The Irish remain traditionally strong in physical battles and set-piece situations, and the support of the home crowd should help them overcome their recent slump. In the reverse fixture in Chișinău, Ireland only just managed to scrape a 2-1 victory, so there’s no room for underestimating their opponents.
Moldova U-21 have proven to be a stubborn, if not always fortunate, side in this campaign. Ștefan Stoica’s team relies on disciplined defending and swift counter-attacks. Irish defenders will need to keep a close eye on Moldovan captain Mihai Lupan, the main creative force for the visitors. At the back, Leo Saca—part of Barcelona’s system—stands out with his excellent distribution from defense. Despite their underdog status, Moldova have shown they can frustrate favorites, as they did against Kazakhstan and Ireland in the first round.
Tactically, expect Ireland to push through the flanks while Moldova will try to congest the midfield. The hosts will aim to use their physical advantage on crosses, while the visitors will look for their chances on the break.
Probable lineups
Ireland: Jauny – Curtis, Murphy, Otegbayo, O’Sullivan – Mullins, Akachukwu, Moorhouse – Ayinde, Lonergan, Kone-Doherty
Moldova: Dumenco – Pascari, Obleac, Saca, Boico – David, Costin, Radu – Lupan, Kucys, Ciumasu
Match facts and head-to-head
- In the 2025 encounter, Ireland beat Moldova 2-1
- In 2025, Ireland have played five qualifiers, collecting 7 points, but lost their last match to Andorra 0-4
- Last year, Moldova earned 4 points from six matches, defeating Andorra and drawing with Kazakhstan
Prediction
I expect an entertaining match, with the hosts determined to show their best. My prediction: total goals over 2.5 at odds of 1.6
