Republic of Ireland vs Sweden. European Championships Group E.
Stade De FranceAttendance73,419.
Monday 13 June 2016 17:06, UK
Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill expects to have Robbie Keane and James McCarthy available for their Group E match against Sweden.
The LA Galaxy striker and Everton midfielder have been suffering from respective calf and hamstring injuries but made it through training on Saturday.
Another worry was Stoke's Jonathan Walters but he returned to full training on Saturday as well following an Achilles problem.
The injury concerns means Shane Long, who was Republic of Ireland's second highest goalscorer in qualification with four behind Keane, will likely lead the line.
Speaking at the Republic's training camp in Versailles on Saturday, assistant manager Roy Keane said: "The facilities are brilliant - they're a credit to everyone in the set-up here; the training pitch, the hotel, the location.
"It's been fantastic and so far the welcome that we have had where we are staying with the staff, the food, we're delighted.
"The Football Association of Ireland (organisation) has been brilliant. If I was trying to find something that was wrong, then maybe my bed's a bit too soft but other than that, it's great. We're enjoying it."
Sweden, who will be led by talisman and reported Manchester United target Zlatan Ibrahimovic, are sweating on the fitness of Albin Ekdal.
The Hamburg midfielder only returned to rigorous training on Saturday after slicing his back open at a nightclub in May.
Sweden boss Erik Hamren said the attention surrounding Ibrahimovic will not affect the striker: "I'm 100 percent sure it will not affect Zlatan. He has been in the business a long time.
"I understand there is a lot of Zlatan media. Not only in Sweden. I understand that."
Opta stats
Sweden have won 50% of their encounters with the Republic of Ireland (5 out of 10), drawing twice and losing three times.
The Republic of Ireland and Sweden are facing each other in a major tournament for the first time.
This will be the Republic of Ireland's third appearance at the Euro finals after 1988 and 2012. They have never gone past the group stages.
Ibrahimovic has never scored in three games played against the Republic of Ireland.
Ibrahimovic could become - along with Cristiano Ronaldo - the first player to score in four different editions of the European Championships. He is also only three goals short of Michel Platini's record in the tournament (9 goals).
Robbie Keane has scored two goals in three starts against Sweden.
Paul Merson prediction
I'm not sure about the Republic of Ireland. Sweden look decent, they gave Wales the complete run-around the other night.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be a class above. He is from a different planet and because of him, only because of him, I fancy Sweden to win. In tight games, Ibrahimovic's quality will tell, the Irish defence have to be on their toes for 90 minutes.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0 to Sweden (Sky Bet odds 17/2)
