Portugal v Ireland match preview
Portugal will be looking to keep up their 100% record in World Cup qualifying when they host the Republic of Ireland on Saturday.
Portugal have only played two games so far in a smaller, four-team group, but look in good shape to reach the finals for a seventh straight tournament.
Cristiano Ronaldo is up to a staggering 141 goals for his country now and scored his 39th World Cup qualifying goal against Hungary last time out.
The Republic of Ireland have one point from their two matches so far in Group F and realistically need a win away from home to boost their slim chances.
They have never won a game in Portugal in seven previous attempts.
Portugal v Ireland team news
Portugal are without two regular starters. Former Manchester City full-back Joao Cancelo, now playing in Saudi Arabia, has a hamstring injury.
And Joao Neves, the midfielder from PSG, is also out with a hamstring injury of his own. Manchester rivals Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva will start in midfield.
Ireland are without several players but Everton veteran Seamus Coleman is back in the squad and may feature. Troy Parrott is back in the squad after injury and could start up front.
Portugal v Ireland expected lineups
Portugal: Costa; Dalot, Dias, Inacio, Mendes; Bernardo, Vitinha, Fernandes; Conceicao, Ronaldo, Neto
Ireland: Kelleher; OāBrien, OāShea, Collins; Ogbene; Cullen, Knight, Manning; Taylor, Azaz; Ferguson
Portugal v Ireland stats
- Portugal have won 19 of the last 21 home matches while scoring more than 1.5 goals
- In the last 12 Portugal home matches the sum of goals was over 2.5
- Portugal have won the last 3 home matches in a row and the sum of goals was over 5.5
- In the last 3 Portugal home matches the sum of goals was over 5.5
- Portugal have won 10 of the last 12 home matches and the sum of goals was over 2.5
- In 17 of the last 19 Ireland away matches the sum of goals was under 3.5
- In 16 of the last 18 Ireland matches the sum of goals was under 3.5
- In the last 5 Ireland away matches in the World Cup Qualification, the sum of goals was over 2.5
- In 8 of the last 9 Ireland matches in the World Cup Qualification, the sum of goals was under 3.5
- In 8 of the last 9 Ireland away matches in the World Cup Qualification, the sum of goals was under 3.5
How to watch Portugal v Ireland
The match is available to stream in the UK on Amazonās Prime PPV service.
Prediction
A Herculean task awaits the Republic in their latest World Cup qualifier and Cristiano Ronaldo and co will surely have too much.
Portugal 2-0 Ireland
