Good evening and welcome to LIVE coverage of Republic of Ireland v Slovakia from the Aviva Stadium. A huge night for the Irish as they bid to reach their first major finals since the World Cup in 2002.

Keane can't get on the end of a pass from Andrews as the ball flies out of play. Decent idea, pity about the execution.

Decent enough ball by McGeady from the free-kick, but St Ledger is guilty of foul play for pushing in the box and Mucha will knock this one long.

Doyle gets pushed to the deck by Skrtel and Ireland have a chance to test this visiting defence with a free-kick.

Pekarik bombing up the line, but he is caught offside as part of a Slovakian attack. McGeady having to track back as much possible to watch him.

O'Shea on the run up one flank. Tries to pick out a team-mate, but can only find Durica, who deals with that pass without too many issues.

Doyle tries a longish ball into the feet of Keane, but it skids off the park and races through to Mucha in the visiting goal. Shay Given on painkillers to play tonight. Back problems for him.

Pekarik the right-back is pushing up the park as much as possible early on. Ireland move forwards seconds later, but poor play by Keane who knocks it out trying a pass up the line.

Andrews looking for Duff with a long ball up the park, but this time Cech is well positioned to deal with the danger before Durica knocks it away from the danger area.

Ward knocks it long up the park, but an easy enough take at the back for Skrtel, who plays it out of defence.

We are off and running in this one.

Teams out on the pitch. Rep of Ireland: Given, O'Shea, St, Ledger, Dunne, Ward, McGeady, Whelan, Andrews, Duff, Doyle, Keane..Subs: Westwood, Foley, O'Dea, Lawrence, Hunt, Keogh, Cox////Slovakia: Mucha, Pekarik, Skrtel, Durica, Cech, Weiss, Karhan, Stoch, Hamsik, Kucka, Holosko..Subs: Putnocky, Jez, Sestak, Vittek, Michalik, Jendrisek, Guede..Referee: Pedro Proenca (Portugal)

Russia enjoyed a 1-0 win over Macedonia earlier in the day. They top Group B on 16 points with the Republic and Slovakia on 13 having played six games - one game less than Russia.

Portuguese referee Pedro Proença take charge of an Ireland match for the first time. They have lost six of their last seven international with a Portuguese referee – the last was a 5-2 ECQ defeat at Cyprus in October 2006.

Vladimir Weiss believes his Slovakian side can surprise the hosts in Dublin. He said: "Tomorrow's game is very important, but all three teams have the same chance at the moment, so it is hard to say. We are here to fight for the three points. Everything is open and I think it will be an open match. It will be very hard, but I believe there will be a goal. The Irish team is very good in defence and in the last few games, they have not conceded many goals. But I believe we will manage."

Giovanni Trapattoni is expecting Ireland to go all out for victory this evening. He said: "We must play with incisiveness and determination. There are many considerations, including the qualities of the Slovakian defenders. We are conscious we have improved the new generation of players and I would like to continue [with them] but I understand also what the responsibilities are. Our weapons are ready. The guns are out."

Slovakia have won four of their six ECQ matches, picking up 13 points – the same as Ireland and Russia. However, they have failed to score more than once in all six matches, netting exactly one goal on each occasion. Slovakia have won their last two international matches – beating Andorra and Austria. They have not won three in a row in three years.

This will be Giovanni Trapattoni’s 37th match in charge of Ireland, equalling the fourth-most ever by a manager of the country, level with Johnny Giles from 1973-80. Robbie Keane has scored five ECQ goals in this campaign – the most of any player in Group B.

A few facts and figures to get you in the mood for this one. Ireland are unbeaten in their last five international matches without conceding a goal. This is their longest run without conceding a goal in 10 years since a six-match streak from September 2001 to February 2002.

Republic of Ireland team to face Slovakia: Shay Given; John O'Shea, Richard Dunne, Sean St Ledger, Stephen Ward; Damien Duff, Keith Andrews, Glenn Whelan, Aiden McGeady; Robbie Keane, Kevin Doyle.

Slovakia teams news: Slovakia captain Marek Hamsik is a doubt for Vladimir Weiss's side. The Napoli attacking midfielder has been having pain-killing injections in his knee, and Weiss will wait as long as he can before making a decision on whether or not to play his talismanic playmaker.

Ireland team news: Shane Long has been ruled out of the clash at the Aviva Stadium with a calf injury sustained in training. Long has started the season in fine form following his move from Reading to West Bromwich Albion, and had been named in Ireland's starting XI ahead of Wolves striker Kevin Doyle. Long has started the season in fine form following his move from Reading to West Bromwich Albion, and had been named in Ireland's starting XI ahead of Wolves striker Kevin Doyle.