Portugal vs Ireland predictions, team news, betting tips, odds and Bet Builder

Portugal vs Ireland kick-off, date & TV info

Date Saturday, October 11
Kick-off 7.45pm
Venue Estadio Jose Alvalade, Lisbon
Competition World Cup qualifier
TV RTE2 & Amazon Prime pay per view

Ireland have made life difficult for themselves as they aim to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 2002 following a 2-1 defeat in Armenia in their last qualifier and they face a daunting trip to Portugal on Saturday.

Their hosts have already scored eight goals in their two qualifiers and look to be charging towards next summer's finals in the USA, Mexico and Canada, where they will hope to win the game's biggest prize for the first time.

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Portugal vs Ireland betting tips & predictions

Best bet

Portugal to win & over 3.5 goals
1pt 13-10 BoyleSports, Hills

Player cards

Nathan Collins to be booked
7-2 Paddy Power

Longshot

Portugal to win 3-1
10-1 general

Portugal vs Ireland preview

It is 31 years since Ireland enjoyed an excellent World Cup in the USA under Jack Charlton, but their chances of making a return visit were severely damaged by a 2-1 defeat in Armenia in their last qualifier and they face a massive task to get back on track against Portugal in Lisbon.

Roberto Martinez's side are just 12-1 to be celebrating their first global success on the other side of the Atlantic next summer and it looks as if a victory over the Boys in Green will be a routine stepping stone on their way to the finals.

Admittedly, Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates needed a late goal to see their way to a 3-2 victory in Hungary, but that should sharpen their focus after the comfortable nature of their opening 5-0 win in Armenia, which demonstrates the gulf between the two countries lining up at the Estadio Jose Alvalade on Saturday evening.

Martinez's outfit got the better of their Iberian neighbours Spain in the Nations League final in Munich before that and they scored five times against both Denmark and Poland in their home matches before that, so the task facing Heimir Hallgrimsson's team is plain.

The four-team group is only two games old and with five points to make up on Portugal, automatic qualification as Group F winners may already be beyond Ireland and almost certainly will be if they fail to win on Saturday. But a playoff place could still be up for grabs, especially if Hungary or Armenia were to draw at the Puskas Arena on Saturday.

Tuesday's home match against the Armenians is consequently the more important fixture for Ireland and attentions could soon turn to that if Portugal begin to get away.

Ronaldo has scored six goals in his last five international appearances and football's first billionaire will need no second invitation to twist the knife.

But Portugal have conceded in seven of their last eight home internationals. Admittedly, the one in which they kept a clean sheet was a 3-0 win over Ireland last year, but the visitors will at least be boosted by the news that Evan Ferguson is due to play after limping out of Roma's win over Fiorentina last weekend with an apparent ankle injury.

Both the Portugal running riot and Ireland grabbing a consolation scenarios should be covered by a bet favouring the home side to claim a third qualifying victory in a match featuring four or more goals.

Collins could be severely tested

It is not just Ronaldo who carries a threat for the Nations League winners as a close eye will have to be kept on Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Pedro Neto and others too, which means skipper Nathan Collins and his fellow Ireland defenders will have to be at the top of their game.

The Brentford defender has picked up three yellow cards for the Bees this season and another in the 2-2 draw with Hungary, so he could again come to the referee's attention.

Boys in Green can contribute to scoring

Correct-score punters may be interested in backing a 3-1 home win as Ireland should at least have Ferguson at their disposal and their striking options would be further enhanced if Troy Parrott comes through a fitness test.

Portugal possess the greater firepower, but the visitors may still make their mark.

Portugal vs Ireland Bet Builder

Cristiano Ronaldo to score two or more goals

Ronaldo has scored six goals in his last five appearances for Portugal and is still relishing being the star attraction aged 40.

Bruno Fernandes to have three or more shots

Fernandes has had three shots in his last two home games for Manchester United and had another three in Portugal's 5-0 win over Armenia.

Nathan Collins to commit two or more fouls

Collins is set to be at the heart of the action and has committed at least two fouls in two of his last three Premier League games for Brentford.

Pays out at 9-1 with bet365

Key stats for Portugal vs Ireland

♦ Both teams have scored in six of Portugal's last eight competitive matches
♦ Three of these nations' last four meetings have each yielded at least three goals
♦ Ireland have failed to keep a clean sheet in six of their last seven games
♦ Portugal have won their last four home matches with both teams scoring
♦ Ireland have scored the first goal in nine of their last 12 outings

Portugal vs Ireland betting odds

Sign up with Betfair to bet on Portugal vs Ireland in a World Cup qualifier. Here are the latest odds for Saturday's match.

Market	Odds
Portugal	1-9 with Betfair
Ireland	14-1 with Betfair
Draw	11-2 with Betfair

Odds correct at time of publishing

Want more top football betting advice? Make sure you take a look at Racing Post Sport's tips for more of the latest picks from our experts.

Portugal vs Ireland team news and predicted line-ups

Portugal

Midfielder Joao Neves and full-back Joao Cancelo have both been ruled out with hamstring injuries.

Predicted line-up (4-3-3): Costa; Dalot, Dias, Inacio, Mendes; B Silva, Vitinha, Fernandes; Conceicao, Ronaldo, Neto

Ireland

Matt Doherty, Jason Knight, Bosum Lawal, Callum O'Dowda and Sammie Szmodics are all injured, while striker Troy Parrott will face a late fitness test.

Predicted line-up (3-4-2-1): Kelleher; O'Brien, O'Shea, Collins; Ogbene, Cullen, Knight, Manning; Taylor, Azaz; Ferguson

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Football accumulator tips for Saturday October 11: Back our EFL acca at 20-1 with bet365

Both teams to score tips and predictions: Our 15-2 acca for Saturday's action

FAQs for Portugal vs Ireland

When is Portugal vs Ireland in their World Cup qualifier?

Portugal will face Ireland in their World Cup qualifier on Saturday, October 11, 2025.

Where is Portugal vs Ireland being played?

Portugal will play Ireland at the Estadio Jose Alvalade in Lisbon, Portugal.

Where can I watch Portugal vs Ireland?

Portugal vs Ireland will be televised live on RTE 2 and Amazon Prime pay per view.

What is the match betting for Portugal vs Ireland?

Portugal are 1-9 to win the game, while Ireland are 14-1 and the draw is available to back at 11-2.

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Ian WilkersonRacing Post Sport

Published on 10 October 2025inWorld Cup