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The Republic of Ireland take on Portugal in a crucial World Cup 2026 qualifier on Thursday in a game they cannot afford to lose.

The game kicks off at 19:45 as Portugal look to secure their spot in next summer’s showpiece with a game to spare, while Ireland will bid to keep their own hopes alive going into the last round of games.

Selections

Create a Bet Builder @ 15/1

Portugal could win convincingly

The fact that Armenia and Hungary play each other in an earlier kick-off and that game could have a big impact on this fixture does add an element of uncertainty here.

There is a chance Portugal will have already qualified before kick-off, while there is also a scenario where the Irish would find themselves in a position where they simply have to win and the Portuguese would still need some points to book their World Cup spot.

The latter scenario seems more likely and, if Portugal do come into this game in need of points, there is a good chance that they can win by more than one goal.

Portugal won 1-0 on home soil when these sides met last month, but that scoreline isn’t a particularly fair reflection of how that game played out.

Ireland managed just two shots in total and failed to record a single attempt on target, whereas the Selecao had 30 shots and controlled possession for large periods.

Ireland do tend to be stronger at home, but they did lose 2-0 to both Greece and England in the Nations League at home last year, so this strong Portugal side should be able to win by more than one goal.

Vitinha can test the keeper

As mentioned earlier, Portugal managed to carve out 30 shots in total the last time these slides met, so the 23/10 on Vitinha to at least force one save looks a strong value play in this game.

The PSG midfielder is averaging 1.5 shots per-game in World Cup qualifying, while for his club in the French top tier that figure stands at 1.8.

Vitinha has been fairly accurate, with around a third of his attempts in Ligue 1 recorded as officially on target and he can at the very least force a save in Dublin.

Ronaldo could open proceedings

Cristiano Ronaldo may not be quite the force he once was, but he still delivers for his country and he scored both of their goals in the draw with Hungary last time out.

The veteran forward had seven of Portugal’s 30 attempts the last time these sides met without scoring, but he comes into this clash in solid form in front of goal with five goals in his last five games for club side Al-Nassr, meaning he has seven goals in his last six for club and country.

Ronaldo is 13/20 to score at anytime, but it could be worth taking the bolder approach of backing him to open the scoring as he will be on spot-kick duties for the visitors and will shoot whenever the chance arises.

Our Betting Tips from their first match of qualifying

The Republic of Ireland’s American dream is in danger of sailing over the horizon with the Boys in Green taking only one point from their opening two 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

The pressure is building on boss Heimir Hallgrimsson, but a trip to Lisbon to face a top-level Portugal side doesn’t look like the ideal tonic.

Selections

  1. Over 3.5 goals @ 59/50
  2. Pedro Neto to score first @ 15/2

Portugal set for serene success

Ireland’s underwhelming start to their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign means the dark clouds are looming and it’s not just results that are a cause for concern.

The Boys in Green have won only two of their last seven games, a run which includes a 5-0 loss to England and a 2-1 defeat to Armenia last time out.

The lack of tempo and attacking intent from Hallgrimsson’s men in the disappointing reversal to Armenia has to be a major cause for concern and it’s difficult to see how Ireland can get back on track in Portugal.

The Selecao began their qualification campaign with a rampant 5-0 win in Armenia and that was followed by a 3-2 success over Hungary in Budapest.

Roberto Martinez’s free-scoring side have netted 17 goals in their last five matches.

An injury to Joao Neves is a slight blow, but Portugal still have a high-quality squad containing the likes of Vitinha, Ruben Dias, Ruben Neves, Pedro Neto, Bernardo Silva and, of course, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ireland will look to keep things tight in Lisbon, but a side lacking in confidence and quality is unlikely to be able to stop a top-level Portugal team.

At 59/50, backing over 3.5 goals looks the best way to go, with most if not all those strikes likely to come from the home side.

Pedro can find the Neto

Ronaldo continues to lead the Portuguese forward line and the 40-year-old has scored in each of his last five international appearances.

However, at 15/2, Pedro Neto looks a better option to open the scoring against Ireland.

The Chelsea man enjoyed an excellent campaign at the Club World Cup, where he hit three goals in six appearances.

The goals haven’t been flowing quite as freely for Neto in the Premier League this season, but he is averaging 1.41 shots per 90 minutes and the 25-year-old rates a potent threat.

With Ireland likely to defend in a low block, the extra pace and trickery of Neto could prove Portugal’s best weapon in Lisbon.