The Republic head into the clash with the Group D favourites sitting top of the pile with 10 points from a possible 12, but knowing they face their sternest test yet at the Aviva Stadium.

Gareth Bale insisted a tumultuous summer at Real Madrid has not been the worst moment of his career as he broke his silence to fire back at the critics.

It is seldom pretty with Ireland but Mick McCarthy won't care about aesthetics after David McGoldrick's late header salvaged a point to leave them three clear at the top of Group D.

The Slovak FA released a statement on Sunday saying that UEFA had punished them for their supporters' misbehaviour during the 2-1 win in Hungary on September 9.

UEFA has confirmed that Slovakia's next competitive home fixture, the Group E clash against Wales at the Stadion Antona Malatinskeho in Trnava on October 10, must be played without spectators.

The Football Association of Wales (FAW) was told on Monday that the national team's 2,137-strong following would be barred from the Group E fixture at the Stadion Antona Malatinskeho.

Ryan Giggs says Tom Lawrence should be able to 'get on with his career' while he awaits his fate in his drink-drive case. Lawrence has been selected for Wales' European qualifiers.

Wales will check on Aaron Ramsey's fitness when the Juventus midfielder joins up with Ryan Giggs' squad ahead of the Euro 2020 qualifier against Slovakia.

The fresh design of the 'renaissance' kit, created by Puma, is inspired by a jersey the Azzurri once wore all the way back in 1954, when the side of old managed to beat Argentina 2-0.

Ethan Ampadu's pre-season move to the Bundesliga was hailed as a smart move given that the teenager has had limited opportunities since joining Chelsea from Exeter in 2017.

As an exciting club football season is pushed to one side for a fortnight, the international fixtures are set to come to the fore. Here, Sportsmail takes a look at 10 players with a point to prove...

Aaron Ramsey has remained in Cardiff in order to concentrate on regaining full fitness for Sunday's game against Croatia. He has been nursing an injury to his adductor muscle.

Gareth Bale appeared to be heading for the exit in the summer - with a £1m a week contract with Jiangsu Suning on the table - after his relationship with Zinedine Zidane hit rock bottom.

With Euro 2020 being held across Europe, there are no automatic qualifying berths and every side at next summer's tournament will have had to earn their spot. Here, we take a look at who's on track...

TOM COLLOMOSSE IN TRNAVA: Former lifeguard Kieffer Moore kept Wales' Euro 2020 qualification hopes afloat with a goal on his competitive debut to earn Ryan Giggs' team a vital point.

TOM COLLOMOSSE IN TRNAVA: Ryan Giggs hailed Kieffer Moore after the former lifeguard kept Wales' Euro 2020 qualifying hopes alive with a goal on his competitive debut.

TOM COLLOMOSSE: They have shared 15 trophies with Real Madrid, yet on Sunday Gareth Bale and Luka Modric will resume their hunt for the prize they crave just as much.

Italy maintained their perfect record in Euro 2020 qualifying to book their place in next summer's finals.

TOM COLLOMOSSE AT THE CARDIFF CITY STADIUM: Gareth Bale had Wales daring to dream of a Euro 2020 place, on a night when Daniel James suffered a sickening blow to the head.

France coach Didier Deschamps has shrugged off talk of revenge ahead of his side's potentially crucial Euro 2020 qualifier against Group H rivals Turkey.

Ryan Giggs has claimed Daniel James was 'acting' despite TV cameras appearing to show the winger knocked unconscious against Croatia on Sunday night. 

France and Portugal are among a number of teams who can book their spot at Euro 2020 next summer on a busy night of qualifying action across the continent. Follow all the action as it happens.

CRAIG HOPE IN TBILSI: The subject of Aaron Connolly and whether he will start the Brighton teenager caused McCarthy to bristle, even though he hinted that will be the case.

Ryan and Daniel James have been accused of abusing concussion protocols after the Manchester United forward suffered a head injury during Wales's 1-1 draw with Croatia.

Turkey players celebrated Ayhan's far-post header with a military salute despite UEFA launching an investigation into a similar celebration during Friday's 1-0 win against Albania.

Real Madrid's Modric, who lined up against Bale for Croatia on Sunday, has emphasised his team-mate's importance to the La Liga giants and is eager for him to remain at the club.

Swansea manager Steve Cooper revealed after the 1-0 win over Cardiff that the 22-year-old will be out for two months with an ankle tendon injury. Rodon will have surgery this week.

Ryan Giggs has criticised brain injury charity Headway for questioning Wales' medical department following an apparent concussion incident involving winger Daniel James.

Former Wales manager Chris Coleman is eager to get back into management after a spell in the Chinese Super League with Hebei China Fortune.

The 30-year-old has not featured for the La Liga giants since Wales' 1-1 draw with Croatia on October 13 due to a calf injury. But Bale was included in the Wales squad this week.

A number of teams have released the shirts they will be wearing at Euro 2020 next summer. The likes of Spain, Italy, Germany and Belgium have all unveiled their kits.

Gareth Bale trained with the Wales squad ahead of their decisive Euro 2020 qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Hungary. Real Madrid star Bale has not played since suffering a calf injury.

TOM COLLOMOSSE: The Wigan forward is expected to lead the line for Ryan Giggs' side in the Euro 2020 qualifier against Azerbaijan on Saturday.

The UEFA-appointed female translator was removed following the bizarre question with concerns that she didn't possess the knowledge or experience, according to The Sun.

Italy continued their renaissance as they cruised to an impressive 3-0 win away to Bosnia-Herzegovina on Friday night and made it nine wins out of nine in Euro 2020 Group J.

TOM COLLOMOSSE IN BAKU: Wales comfortably beat Azerbaijan in their penultimate Euro 2020 qualification match to set up an almighty showdown against Hungary in Cardiff.

Granit Xhaka is an unpopular figure at Arsenal at the moment after telling fans to 'f*** off' against Crystal Palace and has appeared to take another dig with another cryptic Instagram post.

Gareth Bale believes Wales reaching the European Championship next summer could trump the achievement of playing at Euro 2016. Wales ended a 58-year wait in 2016.

Sportsmail provide you with everything you need to know for Euro 2020 play-offs including when they will begin, how the play-offs work, play-offs format, teams involved and more.

Gareth Bale poked fun at Aaron Ramsey's lack of game time in Wales' Euro 2020 qualifying campaign after his double against Hungary booked their spot at next year's tournament.

Gareth Bale risked further upsetting the Real Madrid hierarchy as he danced with a Welsh flag bearing the lyrics to the song 'Wales. Golf. Madrid. In that order'.

TOM COLLOMOSSE IN CARDIFF: Aaron Ramsey is determined to help Wales eclipse their memorable Euro 2016 campaign after scoring twice to send them to next year's Finals.

PETE JENSON IN MADRID: Gareth Bale was back in training for Real Madrid on the day Marca's front page accused him of being: 'irresponsible, wrong, ungrateful. In that order.'

The Spanish media are still raging over Gareth Bale's celebrations this week where he appeared to mock Real Madrid with a banner unfurled after his country had booked their place at Euro 2020.

TOM COLLOMOSSE: Wales fans face a nightmare odyssey across Europe - including three separate trips to Baku - if they repeat Euro 2016 and reach the semi-finals of Euro 2020.

On Wednesday night, Zinedine Zidane's side enjoyed a break from their arduous schedule by hitting the town and going out for a squad meal to celebrate Christmas.

England have dodged the proverbial 'group of death' at the next UEFA Nations League tournament after drawing Iceland, Denmark and Belgium in the group stages.

Euro 2020 is nearly upon us for another month-long period of footballing drama - but this year there's a very big twist to it. This summer's tournament will be spread across 12 host cities across the continent.

Every major football tournament vows to create a once in a generation occasion - but this summer's European Championships promises to be exactly that.

He was forced off at half-time after an awkward landing having tripped over Hull's Daniel Batty and will miss the rest of the season before sitting out this summer's tournament in addition.