Republic face tough test

BBC Sport's Mark Lawrenson looks ahead to the Republic of Ireland's World Cup qualifying play-off against Iran.

Anyone who thinks the Republic face an easy game against Iran on Saturday is making an assumption borne out of ignorance.

As anyone who's ever seen or played against them will tell you, they are an extremely skilful side.

And like most international teams now, they are very well organised.

You used to think "Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, no problem". Not any more.

Ali Daei: Iran's danger man

In terms of individual skill they're outstanding.

Ali Daei is the one that everyone knows. He plays for Hertha Berlin, he's played in the Champions League and he's got a fantastic goalscoring record in international football.

He's probably the main danger for the Republic.

Unique style

But I don't think the Irish will be in for a shock on Saturday. Mick McCarthy has watched Iran a couple of times and he'll tell his players exactly what to expect.

I think you can beat Iran if you're aggressive and strong and put them under extreme pressure.

That's exactly what the Republic normally do.

Even on a bad day they are very difficult to play against and very difficult to beat.

It's massively important that Roy Keane will be back for them

They're great at Lansdowne Road and have never lost a World Cup qualifier there.

I don't know if Iran will have ever played against a side like the Republic.

They play with width and get crosses into the box for Niall Quinn.

They get their midfield players forward and their delivery from free-kicks and corners is outstanding.

Tehran test

And it's massively important that Roy Keane will be back for them. You can't overstate his importance to the team.

He drives his team-mates on, and many times in the qualifiers he's pulled the side up by the bootlaces.

The Republic will need a lead going to Tehran next Thursday

It's not just what Keane does on the pitch, it's also what he gives you off the pitch, in the dressing room, in the build-up.

He is the Republic's one world class player. But what they will need is a good performance from their worst players.

That is normally what they get.

Make no mistake, the Republic will need a lead going to Tehran next Thursday.

Lawro's prediction

You wouldn't want to go into that game level. You certainly wouldn't want to give Iran an away goal.

I've never played in Tehran, but you can get about 120,000 into that stadium.

You just never know how your players will react to a situation like that, or how the officials will react.

For instance, what would happen if Daei went over in the penalty area after 80 minutes with the tie level at 0-0?

You don't want your players to be in those situations.

This not the best ever Republic team - they've never qualified for a major championship - but McCarthy has the opportunity to be labelled the greatest ever Republic manager.

I think Ireland will win by one, maybe two goals on Saturday, and that will be enough to take them to the World Cup.