Image source, Getty Images

Wales will be keeping a particular eye on Marko Arnautovic this evening. The midfielder scored both of Austria's goals as they twice came back to grab a draw in Vienna.

Since then, he has joined West Ham from Stoke for £25m and while he hasn't had the best of starts for his new club, he remains a class player.

That David Alaba fella ain't bad either.

Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill, speaking to Sky Sports: "We didn't play well enough in the first half. We created some clear chances but didn't take them and Georgia were better than us in the first half, but we're still in it.

"We didn't look after the ball well enough, we didn't close down strongly and when we had it we gave it away cheaply.,

"We need to do better against Serbia on Tuesday because they're a very talented side. I said at the beginning anyone who finishes above Serbia will win the group. Now we'll try to win that game."

Republic of Ireland winger James McClean was characteristically honest in his post-match interview.

He told Sky Sports: "I'm disappointed. We were below-par, not good enough on the night.

"Our finishing, I was guilty of that myself - I had a couple of chances. Our passing, energy, defending, finishing weren't good enough. We'll have better nights.

"Georgia are better than people think. But probably we're better. Tonight we didn't show that. They were better than us tonight.

"If that [Tuesday's game against Serbia] goes to plan, then tonight doesn't matter. But we're angry with ourselves."

Dafydd Pritchard
BBC Sport Wales at Cardiff City Stadium

With third-placed Wales and Austria, in fourth, level on eight points, a draw or defeat could be terminal for either's aspirations of reaching next year's World Cup in Russia.

Wales' hopes of qualifying automatically are in the balance then, and so too is their manager Chris Coleman's future.

In the immediate aftermath of last summer's historic run to the Euro 2016 semi-finals, he said this campaign would be his last in charge of Wales.

Does he regret saying that now? Not one bit. Read more here.

Image source, Getty Images

OK, I'm not going to beat around the bush, we've not exactly been treated to the finest football during this international break so far.

England, Northern Ireland and Scotland won yesterday but only the latter did so with any swagger. And the Republic of Ireland's draw in Georgia was a backs to the wall, scrappy affair at best.

Wales can be our saviours this evening. They need to step up to the plate and give us a decent reason why we've not been able to watch Premier League and Championship games this weekend.

Wales' pursuit of qualification has been given a boost by the Republic of Ireland's failure to win in Georgia.

A victory over Austria this evening and they'll be just two points behind Martin O'Neill's men.

Leaders Serbia already have three points in the bag today. They've put Moldova away, 3-0, and have 15 points to their name - seven more than Wales' tally.

Wales boss Chris Coleman thinks qualification from Group D will go to the wire. He's not kidding!

Can Wales or Austria take advantage of the Irish slip-up? Philip Dawkes will talk you through that one. We will start building up to that game now. We'll bring you Republic reaction when we have it.

The Republic of Ireland lose ground on group leaders Serbia in the race for automatic qualification. But their performance was poor and they wouldn't have deserved a win.

Seconds left, the Irish have a throw-in. Can they create one more attack?

Oh this really was the chance. The Irish free-kick ends up with Aiden McGeady, 10 yards out, and he gets his feet under the ball and blazes it over the bar. Such a big opportunity.

Georgia replace their goalscorer Valeri Qazaishvili with Davit Khotcholava.

Georgia have a free-kick, and they're sending players forward. They play it short though. And the visitors eventually clear. Shane Long is isolated again - but he's fouled. Free-kick to the Irish near the centre circle.

FOUR MINUTES added on. Can someone be an Irish hero?

Giorgi Merebashvili almost wins it for Georgia, but his shot from the edge of the box just goes wide of the far post. Not long left.

Dafydd Pritchard
BBC Sport Wales at Cardiff City Stadium

Wales manager Chris Coleman makes two changes from June’s 1-1 draw in Serbia. Gareth Bale is back from a one-game suspension and he returns alongside Tom Lawrence, who makes his first competitive start for Wales. They replace midfielders Joe Ledley, who is lacking match fitness, and Joe Allen, who is banned.

Austria boss Marcel Koller makes four changes from June’s draw against the Republic of Ireland, with Marko Arnautovic, Marcel Sabitzer, Stefan Ilsanker and Martin Harnik replacing Zlatko Junuzovic, Valentino Lazaro, Guido Burgstaller and Florian Kainz.

Wales XI: Hennessey; Gunter, Chester, Williams, Davies, Richards; Ledley, Edwards; Ramsey, Bale; Vokes.

Austria XI: Lindner; Lainer, Prodl, Dragovic, Hinteregger; Baumgartlinger, Alaba; Arnautovic, Sabitzer, Ilsanker; Harnik.

The Irish desperately clear a cross or two. Ball comes forward but Shane Long is so isolated that three Georgians can play piggy in the middle with him.

That was the Republic of Ireland's big chance to win this game. And it's gone. Shane Long does brilliantly to keep the ball in down the right and he centres it to James McClean, who goes past a defender but then shoots straight at the keeper, he could have clipped it over him.

James McClean catches Jano Ananidze's head with his knee, but escapes punishment. It was an accident.

Georgia make another change, Giorgi Merebashvili takes the place of Giorgi Kvilitaia.

Dafydd Pritchard
BBC Sport Wales at the Cardiff City Stadium

Bold call from Chris Coleman to go with Tom Lawrence. Joe Ledley, lacking match fitness, on the bench.

Image source, .