The game will also be broadcast online at ITV Hub and on BBC Radio 5 Live and talkSPORT.

Belgium are unbeaten against the Republic in their last 6 matches, this dates back to 1966. The two sides haven't met in almost 19 years and this will be their first clash at a major tournament.

The Republic have not won in 6 matches at the Euros, their last being the victory over England in Euro '88. They have also never scored more than 1 goal in a game at the tournament.

Belgium have now lost 6 of their last 8 games at the Euros and have also conceded in each of their last 8 matches, their worst run since 1986.

Northern Irish fan cheering on the Republic today - let's make it two wins for our wee island!

I've never been impressed with Belgium in a match when the pressure was on. They have so much individual quality that you can never write them off, but they have no heart or grit, which the Irish do by the bucket load.

I think there will only be a single goal in it either way and whoever scores first will win.

Think Belgium will be determined to put in a good show after how poor they were they first game

I thought Ireland were very unlucky not to have beaten Sweden (no shots on target now in 180+ minutes, strong contenders for the most limited - I am trying to be polite - team in the Euros), while Belgium were outclassed in just about every facet of the game by Italy.

Belgium cannot afford to lose if they are serious about progressing in the tournament and really need to win well to give some credibility to any thoughts they might have had of being crowned champions. Ireland cannot rely on beating a weakened Italy in their final group game, so a draw might not be enough for them either. Match is nicely poised. Will be rooting for Ireland to make it three wins in a row for teams from these Islands, surely an unprecedented week for 'us' at the Euros.

I don't think the Republic will lose this one, and who knows perhaps they can shock the Belgians.

Belgium and Marc Wilmots are under huge pressure after the opening defeat and they're in real danger of exiting the tournament if they lose today.

If you get a draw it's actually ok as you will be second with just two points from two games and I don't think Italy will care too much in the next game as they will already having won the group

Belgium win for me. They are better in every department, and by a lot. I'm sure the Republic will battle bravely for the full 90 minutes but I fully expect the fabulous ones to take out the victory 1-0.

I think Martin O'Neill and the players will go for the win today. No need to be ultra cautious and play for a draw as they know that even if they lose, they'll get a second bite at the cherry against the Italians.

Ireland will score against them today IMO. Belgium have conceded in their last 8 matches and Ireland have scored in their last 12 games.

I see on Oddschecker btw that Belgium are drifting badly in the betting at the moment and the money is being piled on a draw or an Irish win.

After being pleased by NI's dramatic upsurge in quality, this Welsho will be urging on the ROI this afternoon. Good luck to them.

And Iceland as am a sucker for the underdog, and Austria cos I just don't like Portugal's 'vibe'..particularly the utterly charmless Ronaldo.

Interesting day!

Ireland will play for a 0-0 so their chances to score will be very limited. I'm not surprised Belgium are drifting a bit. They have underachieved spectacularly in recent times considering the strength and depth of their squad. But I do think they will come good today against a brave Ireland team who won't make it easy.

Half Irish, so Ireland are my second team, hope they can pull something off.

I know a draw isn't disastrous for them, but I feel they have to go for it here. If they sit back too much, I think Belgium will run away with it, and the last thing this team needs is having to pull out a win against the Italians, who look to be by far the strongest team in the group.

The line-ups:

Belgium:
Courtois, Meunier, Alderweireld, Vermaelen, Vertonghen, Witsel, Dembele, De Bruyne, Hazard, Carrasco, Lukaku.

Rep Ireland:
Randolph, Coleman, Clark, O'Shea, Brady, Whelan, McCarthy, Hendrick, Ward, Hoolahan, Long.

Good luck to Ireland, you can beat those Belgies.

Look at those names. Belgium have to win at least one game....I think they will do it today.

Wouldn't go quite as far as this but I do have a feeling that Belgium will nick it 2-1 or possibly 3-1 today.

As dysfunctional as Belgium are as a team, I think their extra level of individual quality will prove a bit too much for Ireland to handle.

Better in every department on paper, but the game isn't played on paper, it's played on grass. And there things like energy, heart, desire, teamwork - things that you can't quantify or measure - are what makes the difference. In that department we have seen Belgium tremendously lacking for years now, while Ireland have excelled.

Not saying it will be easy for Ireland but all you had to do was watch NI's performance against Ukraine on Thursday to see what a side can do against vastly superior opposition when they have the better game plan.

Italy already basically guaranteed top. Italians only tend to do what's necessary and not much more. I think Ireland will have a terrific chance of getting a result against them if they did manage a draw against Belgium today.

Ireland never play for 0-0 under O'Neill.....I think they've only had one 0-0 in the last two and a half years, they nearly always score no matter who they're playing.

Belgium will almost certainly improve from Monday but this is a big test.

looking forward to this... quite fancy ireland to get a result.

Come on the Irish!!

I think Ireland will play defensive as they'd gladly take a 0-0 then will fancy their chances of at least a draw against an already through Italy
They will then take 2nd or 3rd in the group and are virtually guaranteed through if they have a 0 GD as 3rd place (if they draw vs Italy)
Last edited by InTheLoop : 18-06-2016 at 13:50

just realised that after today we're gonna have to wait a whole week until we get another day with 3 matches...

Okay, prediction time for me: if De Bruyne plays to his usual standard, I think Belgium will win reasonably comfortably; if he has another stinker, then Ireland will edge it. Belgium to win 3-1, but I hope I am wrong.

urgh sam matterface commentating again.

please not with glenn hoddle