Belgium were awful in their first game of Euro 2016, while the Republic of Ireland will know they should have left their first match of the tournament with all three points, instead of just the one. Both teams will want to put those regrets behind them when the line up for this crucial Group E match in Bordeaux on Saturday.
With Italy already sealing their place in the last 16, courtesy an Eder-inspired win over Sweden, only one automatic place remains, and both Belgium and Ireland will know the importance of a positive result from this match.
To get that positive result, though, from Belgium's perspective, considering they need the three points more after such a disappointing performance against Italy, Marc Wilmots needs to make a few brave team decisions.
Belgium's starting XI against Italy looked a little disjointed, and while Wilmots does not have too many options to change at the back, he could make a few alterations further up. One of Maroune Fellaini, Axel Witsel and Radja Nainggolan is expected to make way for a more creative player, most likely Dries Mertens or Yannick Carrasco, while Wilmots might also consider changing one of his defensive midfielders for Mousa Dembele, who had such an impressive season with Tottenham.
Kevin De Bruyne, so poor in that opening match, missed training earlier this week with a hamstring problem, but is expected to feature, while Eden Hazard is also thought to be fit enough to take the field from the start.
With De Bruyne and Hazard set to feature, Romelu Lukaku will also hope to keep his place in the starting XI, despite an underwhelming show against Italy. If Wilmots decides he needs a change up front, Divock Origi, Michy Batshuayi and Christian Benteke are the options.
The Republic of Ireland will be without one of their main players in Jonathan Walters for this Euro 2016 match against Belgium. Walters will miss the game with an Achilles problem, with James McClean or Aiden McGeady expected to replace the hard-working frontman.
Apart from that, though, there is no need for Martin O'Neil to make any other changes to his starting XI, considering the not-too-bad performance they put up against Sweden, with only an own goal denying them the three points.
O'Neill, however, will be worried about James McCarthy and Glenn Whelan, so crucial to them in midfield, with the duo one yellow card each away from missing the Italy match. Jan Vertonghen is the only Belgium player in danger of suspension, if he gets a yellow card in this match.
Confirmed starting XI: Belgium: Thibaut Courtois; Thomas Meunier, Toby Alderweireld, Thomas Vermaelen, Jan Vertonghen; Axel Witsel, Mousa Dembele; Yannick Carrasco, Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard; Romelu Lukaku.
Republic of Ireland: Darren Randolph; Seamus Coleman, John O'Shea, Ciaran Clark, Stephen; Jeff Hendrick, Glenn Whelan, James McCarthy, Robbie Brady; Wes Hoolahan; Shane Long.
