Can Darren Randolph stop clubmate Dimitri Payet when Hammers clash at Euros?

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Republic of Ireland and West Ham United goalkeeper Darren Randolph will face France and superstar clubmate Dimitri Payet at Euro 2016.

Republic of Ireland’s Darren Randolph celebrates after Italy win

Randolph was in between the sticks for Ireland as they qualified for the last 16 thanks to a memorable 1-0 win over Italy on Wednesday night.

And that has set up a mouthwatering match against tournament hosts France this Sunday which will see Hammers number two Randolph take on free-kick master Payet, one of the players of the tournament so far.

West Ham‘s new hero has carried on where he left off for his club last season with two dazzling displays including an assist and two fantastic goals.

France’s Dimitri Payet celebrates at the end of the match

Payet’s leading role at Euros

After setting up Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud, Payet netted a world class winner in a 2-1 triumph over Romania in the hosts’ first game.

And he was at it again as his quick feet put the seal on another victory with a fine goal in the 2-0 win over Albania.

He almost got another fine goal when he came on as a sub in the 0-0 draw with Switzerland last time out having been rested by his manager Didier Deschamps who is keen to protect his star turn.

Then earlier this week a video of another of Payet’s stunning strikes emerged online as he beat Tottenham Hotspur’s Hugo Lloris from all of 30 yards in a training match.

Darren Randolph celebrates

Can Randy stop Dimi?

So can Randolph stop Payet? It is an intriguing clash of two West Ham favourites and gives Hammers fans something to cheer for given Roy Hodgson’s snub of all things claret and blue.

Jack Sullivan, the teenage son of West Ham co-owner David, posed the same question in a post on Twitter after Ireland’s win confirmed the tie.

France’s Dimitri Payet scores a stunner

Who has the upper hand?

Theoretically Randolph should be at an advantage having trained and played with and against Payet all season.

But given how often Payet’s teammates reference the fact ‘he always does it in training’ after one of his gravity defying free-kicks it is more likely that Randolph rarely saves them.

Whatever the result West Ham fans are in for a treat this Sunday.