Armenia's surprise 3-1 victory over Slovakia in Yerevan this afternoon sees an unchanged Republic of Ireland side go into tonight's clash against Russia at the Aviva knowing they can go three points clear at the top of Group B.
Richard Dunne had been the big doubt but he recovered from a knee problem to take his place in the side at the Aviva Stadium, although medical staff were still debating whether to give the Aston Villa defender a pain-killing jab before kick-off.
Russia coach Dick Advocaat made two changes from the team beaten 1-0 by Slovakia in their last qualifier, with Alexander Kerzhakov and Igor Denisov coming in while Hamburg striker Pavel Pogrebnyak was surprisingly only a substitute.
Kerzhakov, who plays with Zenit St Petersburg, has been in fine form lately, scoring two in his last club game and a hat-trick the week before.
Republic of Ireland:Given; O'Shea, Dunne, St Ledger, Kilbane; Lawrence, Green, Whelan, McGeady; Doyle, Keane.
Russia:Akinfeev, Anyukov, Berezucky, Ignashevich, Zhirkov; Shirokov, Denisov, Zyryanov; Kerzhakov, Arshavin, Dzagoev.
Follow Carl O'Malley's Live Blog from the Aviva here.
