Women's World Cup Qualification UEFA League A Group 2 Poland v Republic of Ireland, Polsat Plus Arena Gdansk , 5pm (Live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player from 4.30pm)
Back in February, as Carla Ward faced into a World Cup qualification group containing France, the Netherlands and Poland, the head coach declared: "Finishing third is the goal.
Top-three is the goal.
I think that has to be.
We can't get ahead of ourselves and think that winning the group or top-two is where we should be.
I think we have to be realistic and say, if we can finish top-three, that is good."
And it would be good.
Finishing third would give the Girls in Green a kinder route through the play-offs in the autumn.
They'd be seeded for the semi-final and final, meaning the second leg would be played on Irish soil.
Third place would pit them against a League C team in the semis, rather than a League B runner-up or third-placed side.
So this week's double-header against the world No 24-ranked Poles (Ireland are 27th) is of high importance.
Nina Patalon's high-energy team has been on an upward tractory for the last two years.
They qualified for last Euros (their first major tournament) by beating Austria 2-0 on aggregate, and won the hearts of their own nation with a commendable showing at the finals in Switzerland.
Poland didn't get out of the group stage, but they definitely made their mark, defeating Denmark 3-2 in their final group game to sign off on a high.
Over two million Poles watched their opening match against Germany (a 2-0 loss); in the wake of the Euros, the number of girls registering to play the game at grassroots level exploded.
They're on a journey similar to Ireland, with momentum and support behind them.
Poland hosted last year's Women's European Under-19 Championship in 2025 and will host the Under-20 World Cup this year.
As part of a four-year development strategy, it was announced in late 2024 that all of the senior women's team's internationals would be played at the impressive Polsat Plus Arena Gdansk, a venue that holds painful memories for Irish fans: Spain marmalised Giovanni Trapattoni's bewildered Boys in Green there at Euro 2012.
She hurt the Dutch during the countries' 2-2 draw in Gdansk back in March, a result that puts more pressure on Ireland this week.
A return of four points from two games is necessary for the Girls in Green to avoid being at the foot of the table come Saturday night.
Ward is well aware of the damage Pajor can do but has been at pains to stress Poland's real strength is in their unity.
"I think they are arguably one of the most aggressive transition teams in Europe right now," she said.
"All over the park you can see what the manager has done with them and how they have developed collectively.
There are other teams that we might have played that have looked at maybe more individually.
But this group of players you can see is very together."
Defender Paulina Dudek (PSG), forward Klaudia Jedlinska (Paris FC), and Ewelina Kamczyk (Milan) - namechecked by Ward at yesterday's press conference - are good players operating at a high level.
Others are scattered across strong leagues in Europe: France, Germany and England.
A front-footed outfit, Poland will come out of the traps hard and fast so expect a frenetic, scrappy contest this evening.
As for Ireland, Ward will almost certainly lean into a tried and test starting XI (3-5-1-1).
Denise O'Sullivan is available again after she missed the defeat to the Netherlands with a knee injury, and her presence will be absolutely critical.
Without her, Ireland struggled to maintain sustained possession in Utrecht.
The pitch looks bumpy and dry in Gdansk so the Corkwoman's technical excellence in tight areas will be even more important.
A WSL-seasoned defensive unit of Courtney Brosnan, Caitlin Hayes, Anna Patten and Katie McCabe will be tasked with locking down Pajor and Co, while Emily Murphy will be a precious attacking outlet in support of Kyra Carusa.
On the bench Leanne Kiernan offers a turn of pace and Amber Barrett looked sharp when she featured against the Dutch, but Abbie Larkin could be the one Ward turns to after the hour mark.
Larkin showed in Belgium she's well able to deal with robust challenges should they come her way; the Ringsend flyer also has a goal in her.
This is a massive few days for Ward.
A return of four points from these two games strengthens the case that Ireland are progressing under her stewardship.
But they must be wary of this tenacious Poland side gilded by lethal attacking instincts of Pajor.
Prediction: Poland 1-1 Republic of Ireland
Predicted Republic of Ireland XI: Courtney Brosnan; Aoife Mannion, Anna Patten, Caitlin Hayes, Chloe Mustaki, Katie McCabe (capt); Megan Connolly, Denise O'Sullivan, Marissa Sheva; Emily Murphy; Kyra Carusa
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