The Republic of Ireland will attempt to strengthen their challenge in UEFA Nations League Group B3 when they face Israel for the second time in eight days on Sunday evening.

Heimir Hallgrímsson’s side followed an emphatic 3-0 victory over Israel in Debrecen with an encouraging 2-2 draw against group leaders Austria on Thursday, leaving Ireland level with Kosovo on four points. Israel sit bottom with one point after their goalless draw against Kosovo.

Although officially an Ireland home fixture, the match will take place behind closed doors at the TSC Arena in Bačka Topola, Serbia, adding another unusual element to what has already been a demanding international window for both teams.

Ireland’s attacking improvement gives Hallgrímsson reason for optimism

Ireland’s Nations League campaign began badly with a 1-0 defeat in Kosovo, when a lack of attacking threat again raised familiar questions about their ability to create and convert chances consistently.

The response has been impressive. Ireland effectively decided the first meeting with Israel before half time, scoring three times without reply in Debrecen. Troy Parrott continued his exceptional international form before Adam Idah and Jack Moylan added further goals, giving Hallgrímsson’s team their most convincing competitive victory for some time.

They carried that attacking confidence into Thursday’s meeting with Austria. Parrott produced another outstanding individual goal before converting from the penalty spot to put Ireland 2-0 ahead, although Austria’s strength from the bench eventually helped the visitors recover and claim a 2-2 draw.

Failing to protect a two-goal advantage was frustrating, but there was still plenty for Hallgrímsson to take from the performance. Ireland have scored five times in their last two matches after managing only one shot on target against Kosovo, while Parrott has developed into their most important attacking player.

His numbers are increasingly difficult to ignore. The Real Betis forward has scored nine goals across his last six competitive appearances for Ireland and has become the focal point of an attack that suddenly carries far greater threat. Moylan has also made an excellent start to his international career, giving Hallgrímsson another useful option during a demanding sequence of four matches in 11 days.

The schedule may lead to some rotation on Sunday. James Abankwah is suspended, while Gavin Bazunu will not travel to Serbia. Ireland have already been operating without several established players during this window, increasing the importance of managing workloads within a squad that has been subjected to an unusually intense period both on and off the pitch.

There is also a clear sporting incentive. Ireland still have realistic ambitions of finishing in the top two, and second place would carry additional importance ahead of the Euro 2028 qualifying draw. With difficult November fixtures against Austria and Kosovo still to come, dropping points against the bottom side would significantly complicate that objective.

Israel desperately need to find an attacking solution

Israel’s return to League B has been difficult. A 3-1 defeat away to Austria was followed by the comprehensive loss against Ireland, before Ran Ben Shimon’s team finally collected their first point with a 0-0 draw against Kosovo on Thursday.

The clean sheet represented progress, but their attacking output remains the major concern. Israel have scored only once in three Nations League matches, with Sayed Abu Farchi responsible for their solitary goal against Austria.

That lack of cutting edge was particularly apparent against Ireland in Debrecen. Once Hallgrímsson’s side established control, Israel struggled to find a route back into the match and were unable to seriously test an Irish defence that had looked vulnerable in Kosovo only three days earlier.

Ben Shimon still has attacking quality available. Oscar Gloukh is capable of creating opportunities between the lines, while captain Dor Peretz offers experience and a goal threat from midfield. Tai Baribo, Dor Turgeman and Abu Farchi provide alternatives at centre-forward, but Israel need substantially more from their attacking players if they are to avoid becoming isolated at the bottom of the group.

There are also personnel concerns. Goalkeeper Daniel Peretz has withdrawn because of a groin injury, meaning Omri Glazer or Assaf Tzur will be required between the posts.

Israel should at least be better prepared for Ireland’s approach than they were eight days ago. The speed with which Hallgrímsson’s side attacked them in the first half of the previous meeting effectively decided the contest, and preventing another fast Irish start will surely be one of Ben Shimon’s priorities.

The circumstances surrounding these two fixtures have inevitably generated significant attention away from football. Sunday’s match being staged behind closed doors in Serbia reflects those wider issues, while Ireland’s preparations have again taken place against a backdrop of controversy. Hallgrímsson’s challenge is to ensure his players retain the footballing focus that produced strong performances against both Israel and Austria.

Verdict

Ireland’s recent improvement is substantial enough to make them clear favourites on footballing grounds. They dismantled Israel 3-0 only eight days ago and subsequently scored twice against an Austria side that had won its opening two group matches. Parrott’s outstanding form has given Hallgrímsson a reliable source of goals, while Moylan and Idah have added further attacking options.

Israel are unlikely to be caught as coldly as they were in Debrecen and their clean sheet against Kosovo suggests they can make Sunday’s game more competitive. However, one goal from three Nations League matches highlights the scale of their attacking problems.

Ireland may have to be more patient this time, particularly after the physical and emotional demands of Thursday’s match, but they have shown enough during the last week to justify confidence that they can complete a Nations League double over Israel.

Tip: Republic of Ireland to win