Ireland v Portugal predictions: Aviva clash could end in a stalemate

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Ireland v Portugal in World Cup qualifying Group A on Thursday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Football & Main Event, 7.45pm Thursday

Best bet

Draw
1pt 4-1 Betfair

Team news

Ireland
Jayson Molumby and Alan Browne are available after suspensions but James Collins is injured.

Portugal
Left back Nuno Mendes is suspended and Anthony Lopes, Rafa Silva and Joao Mario miss out through injuries.

Match preview

Ireland have been nowhere near good enough to challenge at the top end of World Cup Qualifying Group A but they can cheer up their long-suffering supporters by holding Euro 2016 champions Portugal to a draw at the Aviva Stadium.

The Dublin encounter carries far more significance for the Portuguese, who need a point or three to displace leaders Serbia as sectional leaders.

Fernando Santos's side finish their campaign at home to Serbia on Sunday and would much rather go into that game in first place – meaning they would need just a draw to guarantee World Cup qualification.

Portugal's bottom line against Ireland is simply to avoid defeat and that should not be lost on the minds of punters thinking of having a lumpy bet on the Iberians.

Santos is not an overly attacking coach in any circumstance and he won't be taking any risks if the contest is all-square heading into the later stages of the match.

Portugal are blessed with some outstanding attacking players and their starting eleven should feature the craft of Bruno Fernandes, the skill, pace and movement of Diogo Jota and the sheer brilliance of Cristiano Ronaldo, who moved ahead of Ali Daei as the all-time leading international goalscorer with both goals in the 2-1 September success at home to Ireland.

The Boys in Green had taken a 45th-minute lead in the autumn encounter – courtesy of John Egan's header - and remained in front until the 89th minute when Ronaldo struck the first of his late goals.

Ireland's performance in Faro was their best since Stephen Kenny took on the position of head coach in September 2020.

Kenny picked up the reins at a tough time and was tasked with keeping the team competitive and bringing through the next generation of Irish talent.

For a long time he was failing on the results front with no victories recorded among the first 12 competitive games, but the narrow loss to Portugal seems to have been a turning point.

Ireland have since put together a four-match unbeaten sequence which included a gritty 1-1 draw at home to Serbia and a 3-0 success away to Azerbaijan.

Kenny would love to extend the unbeaten run and his squad is stronger with midfielders Alan Browne and Jayson Molumby available after suspensions.

However, Kenny is unlikely to tinker too much and may persist with the pacy front two of Adam Idah and Callum Robinson who gave the Azeris so many problems.

Portugal will be harder to break down but they will also be wary of Ireland, who caused them problems in the September meeting with swift counter-attacks.

Santos's side are likely to dominate possession and territory but, given the group situation, they may proceed with a certain amount of caution and it would not be the greatest surprise if both sides settled for a point apiece.

Key stat

Ireland are unbeaten in their last four matches.

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