class=”article_teaser__2t5do”>Stephen Kenny's side have struggled so far in World Cup qualifying and could be in for another long night in their third game in Group A on Wednesday
Portugal welcome the Republic of Ireland to the Estadio do Algarve on Wednesday evening as Fernando Santos’ men aim to claim another win in World Cup qualifying Group A.
The winners of Euro 2016 have made a solid start to their quest to be at Qatar 2022, claiming two wins and a draw from their opening three games and face an Irish team who have lost their opening two encounters.
Portugal vs Republic of Ireland latest odds
The Portuguese boast an exceptional home record in World Cup qualifiers where they are unbeaten since 2008.
Portugal have recorded 13 wins and two draws in their last 15 home games in this competition and bet365 price another success at 1/5 (1.20).
The Republic of Ireland’s campaign has started in poor fashion, losing away to Serbia and at home to Luxembourg, and they are offered at 14/1 (15.00) with the draw at 5/1 (6.00).
TV channel, live stream & how to watch
Sky Sports Premier League Sky Go
The game is being shown live on Sky Sports Premier League in the United Kingdom (UK). Sky Go will be streaming the game live online.
Portugal vs Republic of Ireland team news
Cristiano Ronaldo is in the squad and will be highly motivated to find the goal which will make him the highest scoring player in the history of men’s international football.
Joao Felix however is injured and the likes of Renato Sanches and William Carvalho have not been called up.
Meanwhile Ireland saw Bournemouth goalkeeper Mark Travers pull out of the squad with an unspecified illness, with his place being taken by Bohemians’ James Talbot.
With experienced goalkeeper Darren Randolph left out of the squad there is no clear first-choice player to start in between the sticks.
Portugal vs Republic of Ireland preview
Since suffering the shame of losing at home to Luxembourg in March, Stephen Kenny’s men have recorded friendly draws with Qatar and Hungary, while beating Andorra.
It is an uninspiring sequence of results for the Irish and things are likely to get even worse for them on Wednesday evening.
The defence of their European crown this summer may have ended in disappointing fashion in the last 16, but at Euro 2020 Portugal scored at least twice in three of their four matches.
In World Cup qualifying Fernando Santos’ team have scored at least twice in their last two games and, with Cristiano Ronaldo more motivated than ever to get on the score sheet and Diogo Jota starting the Premier League season in style, there should be more goals for the hosts on Wednesday evening.
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Portugal vs Republic of Ireland tips & predictions
Portugal to win and score over 2.5 goals at 6/5 (2.20) should be of interest while Ronaldo is priced at 9/4 (3.25) to open the scoring and at 13/5 (3.60) to score two or more.
Odds correct at the time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.