Portugal vs Ireland Prediction & Betting Tips - World Cup

Prediction published on 29/08/2021, 21:48  by Daniel Ngulu | Modified on 30/08/2021 at 17:05 in World Cup Predictions

Portugal are back to action for the first time after being dethroned as European champions and they’ll be hosting Republic of Ireland as the World Cup qualifiers resume. While Ireland are still in search of their first point(s), Portugal are joint top of Group A with Serbia and will be looking to pull clear. Portugal didn’t do so well at the Euros and head to this game on three straight winless matches, but still a very strong side. They’ve failed to score in just one of their last five matches but have conceded twice or more in two of their last three matches. Their matches have been high scoring, four of the last five producing over 2.5 goals and with a very strong team called up, we expect the same going to this game. In their last 12 World Cup qualification matches, Portugal haven’t lost, and have just one loss in 22. At home, their only loss in 18 games, was against France in the Nations League. They have straight wins in the last eight World Cup qualification matches, with six clean sheets in them. Portugal and Ireland haven’t met competitively in recent matches; the last time they did, both matches in the 2002 World Cup qualifiers ended in 1-1 draws.

Ireland’s last meeting with Portugal was in 2014, a friendly match they lost 5-1. They suffered straight losses in their opening two matches of these qualifiers, the most recent a disappointing one, as they fell at home to lowly ranked Luxembourg. Manager Stephen Kenny has endured a tough start to the Ireland job and they go to this game having won just one of the last 14 matches, against Andorra in a friendly. The visitors haven’t scored in seven of their last 10 matches and have just one clean sheet in the last five matches. Going to this game, Ireland have no win in their last four World Cup qualification matches; they’ve failed to score in two and have three straight losses. Their run away from home isn’t also the best, having managed just two wins in the last 19.