Serbia targeting wins over Moldova and Ireland, says Ivanovic

Serbia go into a double header against Moldova and Ireland with the chance to take a sizeable lead at the top of Group D if they pick up six points.

Currently ahead of Ireland on goal difference, the Serbs take on bottom side Moldova in Belgrade on Saturday and are expected to pick up the win. As Ireland are expected to do the same against Georgia, the two sides would go into Tuesday’s game in Dublin with top spot up for grabs.

Saturday’s clash has been moved from the Red Star Stadium to the nearby Partizan Stadium due to problems with the pitch at the ground where the home side played out a 2-2 draw with Ireland in the opening game of the group.

Bad condition

Manchester United’s Nemanja Matic is happy that the game has been moved, saying, “I heard that the Red Star Stadium is in a very bad condition so it is good for us to play on a pitch that will help our game.”

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Meanwhile, former Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic laid out exactly what his team are looking for over the next three days.

“Subconsciously we are looking to get six points from the two games,” he said.

“We are favourites at home to Moldova on Saturday, after that we go to Ireland, and we have to try and stay in first place.

“Every match in qualification is decisive, each point is the most important.”

Serbia are looking to qualify for their second ever World Cup since splitting from Montenegro. They previously reached the 2010 tournament in South Africa.