Ireland vs Portugal prediction, head-to-head and probable lineups - 13.11.2025
One of the World Cup 2026 qualifying clashes will unfold this Thursday at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium, where the Republic of Ireland hosts the group leader—Portugal’s national team. Here’s my prediction for the outcome of this encounter, with a solid chance for success.
Match preview
Ireland approaches this match in a tricky position: the team sits third in the group, trailing the second spot—which grants a playoff ticket—by just one point. Their recent home win over Armenia (1-0) revived fans’ hopes to some extent, but the “Green Army” is still struggling up front, having scored just four goals in four matches. Three of those were netted by the injured Evan Ferguson, whose absence here could prove decisive.
With Hungary likely to beat Armenia earlier in the day, Ireland could see their qualification hopes dashed by the end of this fixture. Besides Ferguson, Mark Sykes is also unavailable to bolster the squad. Despite a fighting spirit and the backing of the home crowd, facing a side of Portugal’s caliber without their main striker is an uphill battle.
Portugal are confidently leading their qualifying group and are on the brink of securing direct World Cup qualification. Roberto Martínez’s men have won three of their four matches. Their latest outing against Hungary ended in a 2-2 draw, slightly delaying their qualification, but the final home game against Armenia still leaves Portugal with plenty of room to maneuver.
Even if João Cancelo is sidelined, Portugal’s squad remains one of the strongest in Europe. Cristiano Ronaldo has already scored five goals in this qualifying campaign—more than the entire Irish team combined. The midfield trio of Bruno Fernandes, Rúben Neves, and Vitinha have consistently dictated play, ensuring tight ball control and crafting numerous chances in the final third.
Probable lineups
- Ireland: Kelleher, O'Brien, Collins, O'Shea, Coleman, Smallbone, Molumby, Manning, Ebosele, Azaz, Ferguson
- Portugal: D. Costa, Mendes, Veiga, Dias, Semedo, Vitinha, R. Neves, B. Fernandes, Neto, Ronaldo, B. Silva
Match facts and head-to-head
- Portugal are unbeaten in their last five matches against Ireland.
- Ireland have failed to score in their last three meetings with Portugal.
- Portugal have won six of their last seven matches across all competitions.
Prediction
Given Ireland’s lack of their top scorer and Portugal’s current form, expect the visitors to seize the initiative from the first whistle. Even if they adopt a cautious approach due to the group standings, the visitors’ class should be decisive. Our pick for this match: “Portugal/Portugal” (halftime/fulltime) at odds of 1.85.
