Ireland v Azerbaijan tips: Alan Cawley’s best bets including an 11/2 shout

* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.

I think we’ll see a couple of changes to the side that narrowly lost against Portugal on Wednesday night. Dara O’Shea was forced off through injury and it looked a nasty one. Hopefully it’s not too serious as I’m a big fan of his.

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Saturday 5pm: Republic of Ireland v Azerbaijan
Sky Sports Football/RTÉ2

However, Andrew Omobamidele was brilliant when he came on. He’s got a big future ahead of him. He showed that against Portugal, not just in his defending but in how comfortable he was to go into that environment and remain unfazed.

The wing-backs will probably stay the same and I liked Josh Cullen in midfield too. In the forward areas, Jamie McGrath will start again and deservedly so. I’d start Adam Idah up top again but I’d play Troy Parrott alongside him and maybe leave out Aaron Connolly.

Connolly was good against Portugal and he’s brilliant in a counter-attack system because of his pace. Parrott is more of a finisher and an out-and-out centre forward.

Ireland will have more of the ball and will have more chances against Azerbaijan. You’d want Parrott on the end of these chances instead of Connolly.