Who gets back on track? Israel vs Ireland prediction — September 27, 2026
Israel and the Republic of Ireland will meet on Sunday, September 27, in the second round of UEFA Nations League B, Group 3. The match will be played at Nagyerdei Stadion in Debrecen, Hungary, with kick-off at 20:45 CET. Although Israel are formally the home side, the neutral venue removes much of the usual home-field advantage. Both teams arrive under immediate pressure after losing their opening fixtures: Israel went down 3-1 against Austria, while Ireland suffered a 1-0 defeat away to Kosovo.
Israel: plenty of attacking quality, but the opening defeat exposed problems
Ran Ben Shimon's side had a difficult start to the campaign in Austria. Israel trailed at half-time but responded through Saied Abu Farchi in the 55th minute. However, the striker received a second yellow card immediately after his celebration, leaving his team with ten men. Austria eventually capitalized, scoring twice in the closing stages to secure a 3-1 victory. Abu Farchi's dismissal also means Israel must reorganize their attack against Ireland.
Even without him, Israel possess enough creativity to cause problems. Oscar Gloukh and Manor Solomon started against Austria, while the squad also includes Liel Abada, Dor Turgeman, Tai Baribo and Anan Khalaili. Ben Shimon therefore has several ways to replace the suspended forward without dramatically changing his attacking approach.
The main concern is at the other end. Israel were competitive for long stretches against Austria, but once the match opened up they struggled to contain pressure. Against an Irish side that now needs points of its own, another cautious 90 minutes seems unlikely.
Republic of Ireland: Kelleher kept the score down in Pristina
Ireland's opening defeat was narrower, but Heimir Hallgrímsson will have concerns about the balance of his team. Kosovo controlled significant periods of the match and repeatedly tested Caoimhín Kelleher. The goalkeeper made several important saves before Vedat Muriqi finally broke the deadlock in the 82nd minute.
There were still encouraging attacking moments. Chiedozie Ogbene had an opportunity in the first half, Troy Parrott forced a save after the interval, and Finn Azaz provided danger from set pieces. Against Israel, Ireland should have more opportunities to attack spaces than they were given in Pristina, particularly if the game becomes stretched.
Hallgrímsson is also working without captain Nathan Collins, who was ruled out of the entire international window through injury. Dara O'Shea wore the armband against Kosovo, while John Egan made his first Ireland start in three years. The defensive structure is therefore being adjusted at the same time as the team tries to improve its attacking output.
Possible lineups
- Israel: Peretz, Mizrahi, Nachmias, Stoinov, Revivo, Khalaili, Dor Peretz, Eliel Peretz, Gloukh, Solomon, Turgeman.
- Republic of Ireland: Kelleher, Abankwah, O'Brien, O'Shea, Egan, Scales, Molumby, Knight, Azaz, Ogbene, Parrott.
Israel's selection is likely to require at least one attacking change because of Abu Farchi's suspension, while Ireland could retain much of the side that started in Pristina.
Key trends
- Both teams started the Nations League campaign with a defeat.
- Israel scored against Austria but conceded three times.
- Ireland failed to score against Kosovo, although they created several dangerous moments in the second half.
- The two competitive meetings between Israel and Ireland, both in 2005 World Cup qualifying, ended 1-1 and 2-2.
- Both teams scored in each of those two competitive head-to-head meetings.
Both teams have reasons to attack: Israel vs Ireland prediction
This is already an important match in Group B3. Another defeat would leave either team with zero points after two rounds, so simply protecting a draw from the opening whistle may not be enough.
Israel have enough individual quality through Gloukh, Solomon and their wide options to threaten an Irish defence missing its captain. At the same time, the Israelis showed vulnerabilities against Austria, and the absence of Abu Farchi could slightly alter their attacking structure.
Ireland were unable to score in Pristina, but they did improve after the break and should find more space against an Israel team that prefers to play proactively. Ogbene's pace, Parrott's movement and Ireland's strength from set pieces give Hallgrímsson's side several routes to goal.
With both teams needing a response and neither defence looking completely convincing in the opening round, a match in which each side finds the net looks like the most attractive scenario.
Prediction: Both teams to score — Yes.
