Ronaldo and Portugal on the march?
On Saturday evening, the leaders of World Cup Qualifier Group F, Portugal, will face the bottom team, Ireland. The Nations League winners are, of course, the clear favorites in our Portugal vs. Ireland prediction against the Irish, who have been weak so far. In the World Cup qualifiers, however, Ireland has tended to keep up well with Portugal. In the four matches so far, there have been three draws and only one defeat from Ireland’s perspective.
Portugal got off to a confident start in World Cup qualifying, winning their first two games. They recorded a 5-0 victory over Armenia and a 3-2 win over Hungary. In our Portugal vs. Ireland prediction, we expect the Portuguese to secure their third consecutive victory and score three goals again.
Joao Cancelo and Cristiano Ronaldo have scored in both of Portugal’s World Cup qualifiers so far, with the defender netting twice and Cristiano scoring three times. That’s why we’re predicting another goal from the striker. The Portuguese are in great form at the moment, with a goal difference of 8-2 speaking for itself.
Ireland has struggled in World Cup qualifying so far, failing to earn more than one point in its first two games. On the first matchday, they drew 2-2 with Hungary, followed by a sobering 1-2 defeat to Armenia. It is striking that Ireland scored all three goals in the second half.
For another goal in the second half by the Irish, you can get Portugal vs. Ireland odds of 3.64 at the best bookmakers. Ireland has won only once in a competitive match against Portugal, in 1995 in the qualifiers for Euro 1996. Otherwise, the competitive match statistics, with two wins and three draws, slightly favor the home team this time around.
Portugal – Ireland Head-to-head record / H2H record
In 16 previous meetings between Portugal and Ireland, including friendlies, the Selecao have won nine games, while Ireland have won four. Three games ended in a draw. The goal difference of 25:11 clearly favors Portugal. The encounters were spread across two European Championship qualifiers, four World Cup qualifiers, and ten test matches.
Portugal – Ireland Tip
Portugal goes into this game as the league leader, winning its first two games with a goal difference of 8:2. The Selecao scored at least three goals in each of its first two games, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Joao Cancelo scoring in both. However, Portugal has only drawn three of its last four World Cup qualifying matches against Ireland (2000/01 and 2021/22), winning just one. Perhaps this is Ireland’s chance.
The Irish did not get off to a good start in World Cup qualifying, picking up just one point in their first two games against Hungary and Armenia and conceding exactly two goals in both games. At least they scored three goals of their own, all of which came in the second half. However, the Portugal vs. Ireland betting odds clearly favor a home win for the favorites.
