Martin O'Neill took a lot of positives away from the 'Three' International Friendly triumph over Oman, but he will be amongst the first to acknowledge just how difficult it will be to pick up three points in the first game of Group D.
The good news is that there are no new injury concerns with both Seamus Coleman and John O'Shea having come through sessions at FAI National Training Centre prior to the departure to Belgrade.
Even better news is that O'Neill has plenty of options. Only two players (Shay Given & Robbie Keane) have retired since UEFA EURO 2016, while two more (Shane Duffy & James McCarthy) are unavailable for this fixture, so experience is still something that is stacked in Ireland's favour.
For O'Neill to call on such experience is vital to the team's preparations. For example, O'Shea is entering into his fourth FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, while there is a combined 831 senior caps amongst the Ireland squad compared to 502 in Serbia's squad.
With games still to come against Georgia, Moldova, Austria and Wales, O'Neill is aware of the importance of this first qualifier and what a victory would mean. It is why he will sending his players out with the intention of upsetting their hosts.
Serbia v Republic of Ireland
Monday, September 5
Stadion Rajko Mitic
Kick-Off: 19:45 (20:45 local time)
Referee: Viktor Kassai (HUN)
TV: LIVE on RTE2, Sky Sports 2
HEAD TO HEAD
Friendly: Republic of Ireland 1-1 Serbia - May 24, 2008 (Croke Park)
Friendly: Serbia 0-0 Republic of Ireland - October 15, 2012 (Stadion Crvena Zvezda)
Friendly: Republic of Ireland 1-2 Serbia - March 5, 2014 (Aviva Stadium)
SAFETY & SECURITY
There will be a Fan Zone set up in the Student Square in Belgrade for Republic of Ireland supporters. After gathering at 17:00 (local time), supporters will be brought to the stadium under police escort. Gates will open at 18:45 and close at 23:00, while kick-off is scheduled for 20:45 (local time).
Ireland supporters will be situated in Sectors 7 & 8 in Southern Stand and they will enter the stadium through the south-west side of the stadium at Entrance 25. There will be security checks at the stadium so supporters are advised to arrive early.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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