Just two days out from the World Cup play-off in Prague, there has been quite a bit of debate around the team Ireland should play for the game against Czechia.

There are a number of nailed on starters in the squad, with the likes of Caoimhín Kelleher, Nathan Collins, Jake O’Brien, and Troy Parrott certain to be included in the starting XI. Other positions are less certain.

It will be hoped that Seamus Coleman can start at right wingback, although it remains to be seen if Robbie Brady is fit enough to be named on the opposite flank. The midfield position is also up in the air at the moment due to the absence of Josh Cullen.

We have given our favoured team to get the job done here. As for Ireland’s opponents, it seems as though one of their best players will be dropped for the game.

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Czechia standout dropped for Ireland clash

When Ireland were drawn to play Czechia, one of the few Czech players Irish supporters would have been aware of was Tomas Soucek.

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The midfielder has been a mainstay in the West Ham team since 2020, being among the more consistent midfielders in the Premier League. He has also been a key player at international level, earning 87 caps for Czechia and captaining the side since 2021.

While it would have been expected that Soucek would be one of Czechia’s main men on Thursday, it seems as though he is set to be dropped from the team.

Czech outlet Infotbal are reporting that the 31-year old will not be in the starting XI for the game against Ireland, having also been stripped of the captaincy this week.

Tomas Soucek was widely criticised in his home country for his conduct towards the fans after the final home game of their World Cup qualifying campaign, being stripped of the captaincy for one game as a result. The player ignored the home supporters after his side’s 6-0 win over Gibraltar in November, apparently due to what he felt was unfair criticism of the team in the weeks prior.

It was unclear if that ban would follow through after the team changed managers, although new head coach Miroslav Koubek has decided that Wolves defender Ladislav Krejci will wear the armband in Prague on Thursday.

It now looks as though Soucek will be dropped from the side altogether, a development few would have expected just a few weeks ago.

Czechia do have some excellent options in midfield, headlined by in-form Lyon star Pavel Sulc. They also lured former captain Valdimiar Darida out of retirement ahead of this game, with that pair set to start alongside Slavia Prague’s Lukas Provod in the middle third.

It is thought that the Czechs will adopt an attacking 3-5-2 system for the game, led by Bayer Leverkusen’s Patrik Schick and Slavia Prague’s Tomas Chory up front.

It will be interesting to see if Soucek’s absence will alter Ireland’s game plan ahead of the fixture.

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