Preview of Ireland v Sweden

The Republic of Ireland could go second in Group C with a win over Sweden in their 2014 World Cup qualifier at the Aviva Stadium on Friday. The Boys in Green are level on points with both Austria and their opponents on Friday, and a win will see them leapfrog both should Germany, as expected, see off the Austrians in Munich on the same night. Giovanni Trapattoni's men still have an outside chance of qualifying for the play-offs as one of the best second-placed teams come the end of the qualifying campaign, and victory against the Scandinavians is vital if they are to achieve that goal.

The Italian tactician has a full-strength squad to choose from following both David Forde and Marc Wilson's return from injury, while red-hot LA Galaxy striker Robbie Keane will be tasked with getting the goals against Erik Hamren's side in Dublin.

The Sweden boss will have to do without towering centre-back Andreas Granqvist through suspension, with Adam Johansson set to deputise for the former Wigan man, but Fulham's Alex Kacaniklic has recovered from injury and will provide some much needed attacking flair.The mercurial Zlatan Ibrahimovic is set to be partnered up front by Norwich's Johan Elmander as the Swede's look to pick up a vital three points in their quest for qualification.