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Republic of Eire face an nearly must-win journey to Portugal on Saturday if they’re to maintain their slim World Cup qualifying hopes alive.
The Republic of Eire might haven’t given up hope of progressing to subsequent yr’s World Cup regardless of an underwhelming begin to their qualifying marketing campaign, however they face a dreaded journey to a star-studded Portugal on Saturday night.
A draw with Hungary adopted by defeat in Armenia already has Eire taking part in catch up in Group F of qualifying and that doesn’t bode effectively with a go to to Portugal subsequent up for the Boys in Inexperienced.
With every nation within the part taking part in simply six video games, Eire’s prospects of travelling to the finals in North America already look slim following one level from two outings and Portugal have made a assured begin to proceedings.
Roberto Martinez’s males gained 5-0 in Armenia earlier than an exciting 3-2 victory in Hungary and their array of attacking choices shall be believing that they’ll make it an ideal three from three on the Estadio Jose Alvalade.
Forward of this crunch conflict in Lisbon, we’ve picked out a guess builder which pays out at 6/1.
Portugal vs Republic of Eire Guess Builder Suggestions
- Over 3.5 targets @ 5/4
- Cristiano Ronaldo to attain 2+ targets @ 11/5
- Portugal 8+ pictures on course @ 1/1
- Joao Felix to have a shot on course @ 2/7
Pays out at 6/1
Portugal ought to proceed on the entrance foot
Portugal’s attacking depth means they not often relaxation on their laurels and that has been evident of their latest fixtures, with a 5-0 qualifying win away at Armenia adopted by a 3-2 success in Hungary.
Martinez will rightly again his facet to outscore the opposition and this additionally looks like a must-win for Eire if they’re to maintain their hopes of qualifying for the World Cup alive.
Portugal have gained 4 of their final 5, the one exception being within the Nations League ultimate in opposition to Spain after they drew 2-2 earlier than prevailing on penalties in June, and people fixtures have featured a complete of twenty-two targets.
With each groups scoring in 5 of Eire’s final six, Heimir Hallgrímsson shall be optimistic that his underdogs could cause issues of their very own on the counter-attack.
Leg 1: Over 3.5 targets @ 5/4
Evergreen Ronaldo to steer by instance
Age is only a quantity for 40-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo, who continues to rack up the targets for Portugal, with him failing to attain in solely two of his final 11 worldwide appearances.
Ronaldo has three targets in two World Cup qualifiers and one other brace might comply with in opposition to Eire, who noticed him on course twice in a 3-0 pleasant defeat between the edges final June.
Leg 2: Cristiano Ronaldo to attain 2+ targets @ 11/5
Eire shot-stopper might face an onslaught
Portugal are prone to dictate the tempo of this fixture and it may very well be a busy night for Eire shot-stopper Caoimhin Kelleher.
The Selecao had 9 pictures on course when entertaining Eire in a pleasant final yr and so they have racked up 16 efforts on objective in claiming their opening two qualifying scalps of Armenia and Hungary.
Leg 3: Portugal 8+ pictures on course @ 1/1
Resurgent Felix hoping to get in on the act
Joao Felix has been reinvigorated by a transfer to Saudi facet Al-Nassr, the place he has linked-up with Ronaldo, and he has 4 targets and three assists throughout his final 4 appearances.
The 25-year-old opened the scoring in September’s 5-0 win in Armenia, earlier than including a second on the hour-mark, and he can present his high quality with a minimum of one shot on course.
Leg 4: Joao Felix to have a shot on course @ 2/7