It will be an emotional affair at the Jose Alvalade in Lisbon as it is Portugal’s first home game since the tragic death of former attacker Diogo Jota over the summer.
Key stats
- Portugal are unbeaten in their previous six international matches at home against the Republic of Ireland (W5 D1).
- Portugal have won 18 of their last 21 World Cup qualifying matches (D2 L1).
- Portugal have lost only one of their last 21 World Cup qualifying matches at home (W16 D4). They have won 11 of the 12 most recent (L1).
- Cristiano Ronaldo has scored in Portugal’s last five international matches (six goals in total).
- Cristiano Ronaldo needs one goal to become the first player to reach the landmark of 40 goals scored in World Cup qualifying matches.
- The Republic of Ireland have won only two of their last 12 World Cup qualifying matches (D5 L5).
Portugal vs Ireland prediction
Roberto Martinez’ Portugal won the UEFA Nations League over the summer and they have carried that form into a high-scoring and entertaining start to their FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign. The Portuguese hammered Armenia by five goals to nil before then earning a thrilling and dramatic 3-2 win over Hungary in Budapest.
They now face an Ireland side that are under pressure with pressure growing on Heimur Hallgrimsson, who has previously coached Iceland and Jamaica. The Boys in Green come into this one on the back of a 2-2 draw with Hungary before a humiliating 2-1 loss to Armenia in Yerevan.
Ireland are a very poor side and the pressure is growing on Hallgrimsson with Portugal expected to win this one comfortably with their home advantage in the Portuguese capital city.
