Russia and Ireland search for Group B edge

The top places in UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying Group B are sure to be on both sides' minds as Russia and the Republic of Ireland meet again in Moscow.

• Ireland came up just short when the sides met in Dublin on 8 October; goals from Aleksandr Kerzhakov, Alan Dzagoev and Roman Shirokov left the visitors 3-0 up five minutes into the second half, but while Robbie Keane's penalty (72) and a Shane Long effort (78) gave Ireland hope, there was to be no leveller.

• The Republic of Ireland's record in 14 games against Russia and the Soviet Union reads W4 D3 L7 (W0 D0 L4 in Russia, with three of those losses in Moscow). Ireland's results against an independent Russia are W1 D2 L3 (W0 D0 L1 in Russia).

• Before October, the two teams last met in a pair of qualifiers for UEFA EURO 2004. Russia kicked off that campaign with a 4-2 triumph in Moscow, racking up a 3-0 lead and sealing maximum points thanks to a Phil Babb own goal after Clinton Morrison and Gary Doherty had reduced the deficit. The return encounter in Dublin on 6 September 2003 then ended 1-1, Sergei Ignashevich cancelling out Damien Duff's opener before half-time.