A chance for the Republic there! They win a corner on the left wing, it's flighted in and the Austrian defence seem to hesitate and let the ball through. Shane Duffy is I think the nearest man to meeting it on the bounce, he tried to head it when a volley would have been better...

Dafydd Pritchard
BBC Sport Wales at Cardiff City Stadium

If you don’t like sport, Cardiff is not the city for you today.

Wales’ rugby team are in action against Argentina at the Principality Stadium (kick-off at 17:30) and, within minutes of that match ending, their footballing counterparts take on Serbia at Cardiff City Stadium (kick-off at 19:45).

The two grounds are only a 15 or 20-minute walk away from each other – if you’re quick – and there are some fans planning to leave the Argentina game early enough to watch Chris Coleman’s side face Serbia in their crucial 2018 World Cup qualifier. 

You’d be better advised to get to Cardiff City Stadium early. With Wales third in Group D and two points behind leaders Serbia, this is an enormous game for the hosts and one which is bound to draw a big crowd.

Image source, Reuters

Basel striker Marc Janko is massive, a 6ft 5ins handful. He gets up easily above the Irish defence to flick on a header but he can't get enough power behind it and that's an easy save for Darren Randolph. 

Jon Walters is trying to play as a lone striker and a right-winger at the same time. He's already covered a lot of distance tracking defenders. Wes Hoolahan loses the ball again. The luxury is a bit of a liability at the moment. 

Out of nothing, the Republic of Ireland come so close to an opener! James McClean takes a long ball down cleanly, turns to fire in a shot which takes a whacking great deflection off Julian Baumgartlinger and drifts just past the far post! 

Wes Hoolahan is so often Norwich's, and the Republic's, playmaker, capable of genius. But that's twice now he's been outmuscled and mugged in a dangerous area.

Cruyff turns need to be saved for the edge of the Austrian box, not the Irish one. He gets away with it this time. 

It's still very early days in this game, but with eight minutes gone it's been pretty much one-way traffic. A testing start for the Republic.

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Another cross in, another nervous clearance, this time from Ciaran Clark. Austria's whip-it-in mentality is a refreshing change from the cheap tiki-taka knock-off stuff favoured by so many.

The corner brings more danger as totemic striker Marc Janko brings the ball down and fires in low. Darren Randolph grabs it in. 

Wes Hoolahan is ponderous on the halfway line and is mugged by Marko Arnautovic. The Stoke powerhouse drives on the Ireland goal, is tackled well but it falls for Marcel Sabitzer to shoot wide.

All Austria. 

Image source, AP

It could be a long old night for the Ireland back four if these opening minutes are anything to go by. Austria have them penned back in their own penalty area since kick-off. 

Image source, Reuters

Robbie Brady is playing at left-back but wearing number 10. Completely needless. At least centre-back Shane Duffy is not wearing seven this time.

Brady and then Jeff Hendrick have to clear nervously from early Austrian crosses. 

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Up, up and away!

Marko Arnautovic's face a study in concentration during the anthems. It's a sell-out crowd of just under 50,000 in Vienna tonight. Bringing the noise. 

I don't want to put words into Martin O'Neill's mouth, but from his demeanor in that pre-match interview I reckon he'd snatch your hand off now for a 0-0. 

The teams stride out on to the pitch. Looks nippy - snow has been forecast...

Image source, Reuters

Austria: Ozcan, Klein, Dragovic, Hinteregger, Wimmer, Baumgartlinger, Alaba, Okotie, Schopf, Arnautovic, Janko. Subs: Lukse, Stangl, Ilsanker, Onisiwo, Harnik, Suttner, Schaub, Madl, Hinterseer, Gregoritsch, Lazaro, Lindner. 

Rep of Ireland: Randolph, Coleman, Christie, Clark, Brady, Whelan, Arter, Hendrick, Hoolahan, McClean, Walters. Subs: Westwood, O'Shea, Keogh, McGeady, McGoldrick, Horgan, Kevin Doyle, Meyler, McShane, O'Dowda, Pearce, Colin Doyle.

Referee: Sergei Karasev (Russia)

Image source, Reuters

Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill: "It is a big occasion for Harry Arter, his competitive debut, he is a wee bit nervous as you'd expect. I expect his impact to be over the next few seasons rather than tonight.

"We have Wes Hoolahan in behind and we want him to get on the ball as much as possible. We must use the ball well tonight.

"A win here would be very big indeed. It would make for a very nice Christmas."

Austria have Stoke forward Marko Arnautovic in the side tonight, he was impressive against Wales and could be a key man again.

He had a lengthy pre-match chat in the middle with Potters team-mate Jon Walters an hour or so ago. 

The Republic arrive in Vienna with a frankly dismal record against Austria.

Ireland are winless in their past eight matches against Austria, losing six and drawing two.

The Boys in Green's last victory over Austria arrived in October 1963, running out 3-2 winners in a Euro 1964 qualifier.

Fifty-three years! Noel Cantwell was the hero of the hour with a last-minute penalty.

Image source, PA

Image source, Getty Images

The head says Croatia, but the heart is hoping that Iceland can continue their superb Euro 2016 form. 

Both teams have taken seven points from their first three Group I games, but hosts Croatia are unbeaten in four meetings with Iceland. 

Also in Group I, Turkey take on Kosovo for the first time. Turkey have yet to win a group match – but Kosovo have yet to win a game as a Uefa member nation.

It’s a battle of the east as Georgia host Moldova. The visitors are without a win in 13 qualifiers, but it’s Moldova who lead the head-to-head, winning five of their 10 meetings. Keep an eye out for Moldova’s Evgheny Cebotari, who is set to win his 50th cap.