Portugal are off to a flier in World Cup qualification, winning their first two games to take control of Group F. Another couple of victories in this international break would leave Roberto Martinez’s men well positioned to qualify for 2026.
Republic of Ireland are bottom of the table ahead of this trip to Lisbon, so some sort of positive result here would be invaluable.
- Portugal to win and over 2.5 goals – 1/10 with Bet442
- Back Portugal to score over 2.5 goals – 4/5 with William Hill
- Go for Cristiano Ronaldo to score any time – 1/2 with Sky Bet
Portugal vs Republic of Ireland odds
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Portugal vs Republic of Ireland predictions
Portugal were underwhelming at Euro 2024, but they are having an excellent 2025 so far.
Roberto Martinez’s men never looked convincing at the European Championship last year. They topped their group despite losing to Georgia in one of the upsets of the tournament, then needed a penalty shoot-out to scrape past Slovenia in the round of 16.
Portugal were finally put out of their misery in the quarter-finals, when they were eliminated by France on spot-kicks following a 0-0 draw. It is hard to say they deserved anything more.
But Portugal have had much more to cheer about since the Euros. First they finished top of their Nations League group to reach the finals, taking 14 points out of a possible 18 in games against Croatia, Scotland and Poland.
Portugal then beat Denmark 5-3 on aggregate in the quarter-finals, before dispatching Germany in the semis. In the final, Martinez’s team beat Spain on penalties after a 2-2 draw.
The Nations League might not be as prestigious as the Euros or the World Cup, but it is still a trophy and Portugal were understandably delighted to win it.
They followed up on that success by winning their first two World Cup qualifiers to take control of Group F. Portugal thrashed Armenia 5-0 on matchday one, then narrowly beat Hungary 3-2 a few days later.
With only one team per group qualifying directly for the 48-team tournament in the Americas, it is essential that Portugal finish top.
Two more victories in the October international break (after the Ireland game, Portugal face Hungary in Lisbon on Tuesday) would put them in pole position to secure first place.
Nelson Semedo, Matheus Nunes and Rafael Leao are back in the squad, while the injured Joao Cancelo is the only notable absentee.
The Republic of Ireland already have a mountain to climb if they want to advance directly to the USA, Canada and Mexico, but a play-off berth via a second-place finish is still a possibility.
Ireland drew 2-2 with Hungary on matchday one, rescuing a point against 10-man opposition thanks to an Adam Idah goal in second-half stoppage time.
But a 2-1 defeat by Armenia on matchday two has left Ireland in last place without having even played Portugal yet. Another defeat here would leave Heimir Hallgrimsson’s charges in an unenviable position.
Portugal vs Republic of Ireland betting tips
Portugal are strong favourites to overcome the Republic of Ireland, but will this game follow the script?
Tough night for Ireland
The one positive for the Republic of Ireland is that Portugal’s defence is not impregnable.
Martinez’s side have kept only one clean sheet in their last eight games, so their backline can clearly be got at.
On the flip side, Portugal pack a punch going forward. That often leads to entertaining encounters. Indeed, there have been more than 2.5 goals in each of their last five fixtures.
In terms of the result, Portugal should prove too strong for Ireland. They have a superior squad in virtually every area and are in better form too.
It is hard to see Ireland avoiding defeat here, but from a neutral’s perspective this should be a fun game.
Portugal to win and over 2.5 goals at 1/10 with Bet442
Portugal attack should have joy
There is a decent chance that Portugal will make the net bulge three times all by themselves.
Martinez is an attack-minded manager, and although he has been accused of tactical naivety at times in his coaching career, when his teams click they can produce some fantastic football.
Portugal have scored over 2.5 times in three of their last five outings. Even against superior opposition like Spain and Germany, they struck twice in each game.
The Republic of Ireland have struggled defensively of late. They have only kept one clean sheet in their last seven matches, and that was against minnows Luxembourg.
Ireland conceded twice each to Hungary and Armenia, so it would not be at all surprising if Portugal outdid those two sides here.
Back Portugal to score over 2.5 goals at 4/5 with William Hill
Ronaldo to strike again
Cristiano Ronaldo will be 41 years old when the World Cup gets under way next summer. Ronaldo is desperate to win the tournament before he retires and 2026 will be his last chance.
The legendary attacker was more of a help than a hindrance at Euro 2024, but he was not the only Portugal player who flattered to deceive in Germany.
Ronaldo remains a key part of Martinez’s group 15 months on and he has already scored three goals in World Cup qualifying.
The Al-Nassr man himself would admit he is no longer at the peak of his powers, but Ronaldo’s penalty-box prowess means he will continue to score goals in games like this one.
Go for Cristiano Ronaldo to score any time at 1/2 with Sky Bet
Portugal vs Republic of Ireland predicted lineups
- Portugal expected lineup: Costa; Dalot, Dias, Inacio, Mendes; Bernardo, Vitinha, Fernandes; Conceicao, Ronaldo, Neto.
- Republic of Ireland expected lineup: Kelleher; O’Brien, O’Shea, Collins; Ogbene; Cullen, Knight, Manning; Taylor, Azaz; Ferguson.
Where to watch Portugal vs Republic of Ireland
- Location: Estadio Jose Alvalade, Lisbon, Portugal.
- Date and time: Saturday 11th October, 7.45pm.
- How to watch: Amazon Prime PPV.
More World Cup qualification predictions
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About the author
Greg Lea
Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.
Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball
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