The Irish are just ahead of Zimbabwe in the league standings with four points from three matches, having beaten the West Indies and the UAE, compared to the Africans' two points from four matches.
Ireland are arguably the most impressive of all the four non-Test or Associate sides at this World Cup though they must be a bit low after their 201-run loss to South Africa in Canberra.
Victory against Zimbabwe would give Ireland a good chance of progressing to the quarterfinals though they must still face India, before finishing their pool campaign against Pakistan.
They will be without captain Elton Chigumbura after the 28-year-old all-rounder suffered a thigh injury when he tripped and fell while chasing a ball in Sunday's 20-run loss to Pakistan at the Gabba in Brisbane. Brendan Taylor will lead the side in Chigumbura's absence.
The only other time these two teams met in a World Cup match they played out a thrilling tie in Jamaica in 2007, which contributed to Ireland memorably qualifying for the Super Eights.
