Match Result: Republic of Ireland v Portugal
The Republic of Ireland are the betting outsiders to land a victory when they clash with Portugal. Their betting odds of 7/1 suggest that they only have a 12.5% chance of triumphing and it looks a tall order to beat a team who are packed with world-class players. However, they do have home advantage and there have been some positive recent performances.
In their last game, the Irish ran a tight defensive ship to edge out Armenia by a single goal. Evan Ferguson’s strike was enough to keep their qualifying hopes alive and this came after the narrowest of defeats in Lisbon. After successfully defending their goal all came, the sucker punch came from Ruben Neves when it looked as though a point would be landed.
Defensively, the team have been looking strong since a 2-1 defeat in Armenia and that result came after a 2-2 draw against Hungary in the first group game. There was plenty of character to come back from two goals down in that encounter. Ferguson has scored in three of the four qualifying games and will hope that he can find a way past the Portuguese defence.
It should be noted that the Portuguese have conceded four goals in qualifying thus far. They were only just able to get the better of Hungary when claiming a 3-2 success, with Joao Cancelo’s 86th minute winner coming after the two teams had traded blows. They were also held to a 2-2 draw by the same opponents.
Therefore, it’s not out of the question that this game might end in a draw. Roberto Martinez’s side meet Armenia in the final qualifying encounter which means that a point here would keep things ticking over before top spot is cemented.
Goals Under/Over
The bookies think there’s a reasonable chance that we’ll witness Over 2.5 Goals in this Dublin encounter. The current odds are 1.65 and there’s a 60% chance of there being three goals or more in the eyes of the layers. Naturally, Portugal are the sort of team that can cover the line themselves considering the swell of attacking ability on the books.
There have been fifteen goals scored across four World Cup qualifying games involving Roberto Martinez’s side, with 40-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo continuing to lead the team. He now has an astonishing 143 goals in 225 international appearances, with Joao Felix and Bruno Fernandes among the other players who can find the net.
However, the flip side is that there have only been nine goals scored across four games involving Ireland. There’s also the fact that only one goal was scored in the reverse fixture and we might once again see the Irish set up a tight defence.
BTTS
BTTS Yes is trading as the outside selection of the two. Portugal claimed a 5-0 success away to Armenia although they shipped two on the road at Hungary. They also conceded two at home to the same opposition. The Portuguese are not renowned for having a tight defence and Martinez is a coach who favours attacking play even if it means risking the concession of goals.
There are some quality defenders in the ranks, with Ruben Dias recently helping Manchester City deliver a 3-0 success against Liverpool. Former City defender Joao Cancelo is also likely to be involved, with Nelson Semedo and Diogo Dalot also in the ranks along with Matheus Nunes.
That begs the question as to whether the Republic are going to find the net. Roma’s Evan Ferguson is injured which is a blow and that means that scoring duties fall to a handful of other attacking players. Swansea’s Adam Idah might be given the nod to lead the line, with Troy Parrott an alternative who operates for AZ Alkmaar.
We’re leaning towards BTTS No and a Portugal win can be combined with this. While their need might not be greater than their opponents, there’s no denying the overall quality.
First Goalscorer
Cristiano Ronaldo is the top scorer in World Cup qualifying F, with the Al Nassr forward having bagged five goals in the space of four games so far. The former Real Madrid and Manchester United player is a certain starter and we also know that he’s on penalty duties and free-kicks in order to boost his scoring record.
Many Republic of Ireland v Portugal Bet Builders will include CR7 as an anytime scorer pick. However, there could be some viable alternatives. Joao Felix was on target with a brace away to Armenia and the Al Nassr forward certainly has the qualities to unpick what is going to be a tight Irish defence.
Bruno Fernandes will operate in a fairly advanced position for his country, with Bernardo Silva a reliable operator next to his Manchester cohort. Ruben Neves is the other player who has been on the scoresheet for his country during World Cup qualifying.
The only player aside from Evan Ferguson who has scored during World Cup qualifying is Adam Idah. To be fair to the forward, he has six goals in the space of thirty-five games. There may also be an opportunity for Stoke City’s Chiedozie Ogbene to operate in search of goals for a team with an outside job of qualifying.