Republic of Ireland vs Portugal Predictions

• Ireland can’t qualify for the World Cup, Portugal are still fighting for top spot in Group A.
• Portugal won the reverse fixture 2-1.
• Portugal have conceded in 10 of their last 15 games.
• Bruno Fernandes has two goals and two assists in his last four appearances for the visitors.

Portugal in need of a result 

Ireland are playing for pride when they host Portugal on Thursday as they can no longer reach the World Cup but the visitors arrive in need of a result.

Portugal sit second in Group A with two games left to play, they are just one point behind leaders Serbia and the two teams meet in the final round of fixtures. The Serbs only have one game remaining, so a win for Portugal would put them firmly in the driving seat for the automatic spot.

For Ireland this tie is essentially a dead rubber, while Portugal need a result. However, a draw would be a positive result for the visitors too as that would still put them at the top of the group ahead of that key game with Serbia and that is clearly the more important fixture from their perspective.

BTTS adds value to an away win

Portugal clearly have the stronger squad and are the team in need of a result so we’re expecting them to win this match-up. The price on a straightforward win for the visitors isn’t particularly appealing though, so to make this worthwhile an away win with both teams to score has some appeal here.

The Irish managed a goal in a 2-1 defeat in the reverse fixture back in September and have been in good scoring form, with seven goals in their last two games. Those successes came against Azerbaijan and Qatar, but Stephen Kenny’s men will want to put on a performance in their final home game of what has been a poor qualification campaign and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them grab a goal.

Portugal have managed three successive clean sheets against Azerbaijan, Qatar and Luxembourg but prior to that kept just two shut-outs in 12 games against better opposition so there are encouraging signs that Ireland can make a breakthrough.

Portugal have been in free scoring form of late with 14 goals in their last four games and with that in mind a 3-1 win for the visitors has some appeal in the correct score market.

Portugal’s Bruno Fernandes is a contender for a goal despite his struggles in front of goal for Manchester United.  Fernandes has been operating in a different role at Old Trafford and has gone 12 games without a goal, but for his country is a greater attacking threat and has managed two goals and two assists in his last four games, so he should get a few chances on Thursday.