Chris Coleman’s Wales visit the Republic of Ireland this evening in a 2018 World Cup qualifier they could really do with winning.

The Welsh are currently third in Group D having picked up six points from their first four matches, meaning that they trail Martin O’Neill’s group leaders by four points going into tonight’s clash in Dublin.

And with just five games of the qualifying campaign left after this evening’s encounter, Coleman’s men really cannot afford to drop anymore points, but it won’t be easy against O’Neill’s Ireland.

The Irish have won three of their four group games so far to sit top of the pile, with their latest success a 1-0 victory in Austria, which itself is a clear statement of intent given that the Austrians are an excellent side.

O’Neill’s men are unbeaten in their last 15 games at the Aviva Stadium to make matters even tougher for Wales, but Coleman and his side will believe that they can go there and get the three points.

So, with the build-up well underway ahead of tonight’s clash, here are THREE reasons why Wales will pick up the three points in Dublin…

Still unbeaten despite sluggish start

Wales haven’t had a great start to their World Cup qualification campaign, but they are still unbeaten four games in – it’s just that they have only won one of them.

A 4-0 victory over Moldova in their opening match looked set to pave the way for another successful qualifying campaign, but subsequent draws against Austria, Georgia, and Serbia has given manager Chris Coleman a fair bit to think about over the last few months.

A 2-2 draw in Austria is a fine result, but they’ll be disappointed to have dropped points at home against Georgia and Serbia, especially as they led both games.

Nonetheless, they are still unbeaten and proving tough to beat – you get the sense that they are going to put a run together eventually, and that could start in Dublin this evening.

Bale a match-winner

In Gareth Bale, Wales have one of the best players in world football at their disposal.

The Real Madrid forward has been in sensational form for club and country over the last few years, and helped his nation to the Euro 2016 semi-finals last year with three goals in six games.

With 67 goals in 145 matches since moving to the Bernabeu in 2013, and 12 goals in his last 17 games for Wales, the 27-year-old is continuing his rise to the upper echelons of the game, and he is clearly relishing the pressure of being Wales’ main man.

Ireland will quite simply have to thwart Bale is they are to avoid defeat in Dublin tonight.

Need win to stay in contention

This is a much bigger game for Wales than it is Ireland.

Defeat tonight for Coleman’s side would see them fall seven points behind Martin O’Neill’s side, and with just one side automatically qualifying for the World Cup finals and only five games to go, that would leave the Welsh very much focusing on finishing second and hoping to make the play-offs.

Yet that itself won’t be easy as Serbia are currently two points ahead of Coleman’s men, and could be five clear by the time Wales kick-off in Dublin tonight should they beat Georgia earlier in the day.

Ultimately, Wales have to win at the Aviva Stadium this evening, otherwise their hopes of qualifying for the World Cup finals for the first time since 1958 could be all but over.