Robbie Keane
Robbie Keane has been rule out of tonight's match against Armenia with an adductor injury. REUTERS

Tuesday, 11 October
Republic of Ireland v Armenia
Aviva Stadium
Kick-off:
1845 BST

Where to watch: In the U.S., ESPN3 will broadcast live coverage and highlights from 1345 EDT.

Preview: Republic of Ireland must avoid defeat in their final qualifier against Armenia to secure a play-off berth for Euro 2012.

Theoretically, Ireland could still win Group B but they require bottom-of-the-table Andorra to beat Russia in Moscow - an unlikely scenario at best.

Giovanni Trapattoni's side have experienced another solid campaign and the Italian remains confident of securing the point his side need from tonight's game, despite Armenia's late push for second place.

Vardar Minasyan's side have been a revelation in the last 12 months, three consecutive victories over Andorra, Slovakia and Macedonia have the team to the brink of qualification for next summer's tournament.

Trapattoni remains wary of the threat posed by Armenia and insists his side will take nothing for granted at the Aviva Stadium tonight.

"Maybe if you know the players who play for Armenia, it is not a surprise," Trapattoni told BBC Sport.

"Armenia is a very, very strong team. They have scored more goals than us and we must pay very, very much attention."

The Italian is without Robbie Keane for tonight's fixture after the LA Galaxy forward picked up an adductor muscle injury in Friday's 2-0 win over Andorra.

West Brom's Simon Cox has been named as Keane's replacement, with Stephen Kelly replacing the suspended Stephen Ward and Richard Dunne returning in place of Darren O'Dea.

Prediction: Republic of Ireland 1 Armenia 0

Republic of Ireland probable XI: Given (capt); O'Shea, Dunne, St Ledger, S Kelly; McGeady, Whelan, Andrews, Duff; Doyle, Cox.