• Portugal beat Spain on penalties to win June's Nations League final

• Ireland had only one shot on target in a 3-0 friendly defeat to Portugal in June 2024

• Recommended bet: Portugal to win 2-0

The Republic of Ireland require a spectacular comeback in World Cup qualifying Group F after a miserable start to their campaign in September.

Irish forward Troy Parrott declared this week that "it's not over until it's over" but his side's chances of making next summer's finals look slim after a 2-2 home draw with Hungary and a 2-1 defeat in Armenia.

This weekend Heimir Hallgrimsson's men face a trip to Portugal, who were crowned Nations League champions in June before winning their first two World Cup qualifiers last month.

The latest Portugal vs Republic of Ireland odds are available on LiveScore Bet

Team news

Portugal midfielder Joao Neves has pulled out due to injury and former Arsenal left-back Nuno Tavares has been added to the squad.

The Republic of Ireland have recalled defenders Seamus Coleman and John Egan while uncapped left-back Will Ferry has been added to replace the injured Callum O'Dowda.

Sammie Szmodics, Matt Doherty and Jason Knight are sidelined but midfielder Jayson Molumby and forward Parrott are back in the squad.

The latest Portugal vs Republic of Ireland odds are available on LiveScore Bet

The stats

Both teams have scored in seven of Portugal's last eight victories.

Four of Portugal's last five matches have produced over 3.5 goals.

Portugal have won eight of their last 12 internationals.

Both teams have scored in five of the Republic of Ireland's last six matches.

The Republic of Ireland have drawn three of their last four games.

Three of the Republic of Ireland's six 2024-25 Nations League group games ended in 2-0 defeats.

Prediction

There is not much margin for error in a four-team World Cup qualifying group so the Republic of Ireland are up against it after their poor start.

They needed an injury-time goal from Adam Idah to salvage a 2-2 draw against 10-man Hungary in Dublin before a hugely damaging 2-1 defeat to Armenia.

That was a dismal result, and performance, from Ireland and they are unlikely to bounce back in Saturday's daunting trip to Portugal.

Roberto Martinez's men are sitting pretty at the top of Group F thanks to a 5-0 rout of Armenia and a 3-2 victory in Hungary, where Joao Cancelo scored a late winner.

Portugal certainly have the winning habit following June's triumphant Nations League Finals campaign. They came from behind to beat Germany 2-1 in the semi-final before a penalty-shootout victory over European champions Spain in the final.

Portugal eased to a 3-0 win over the Republic of Ireland in a friendly shortly before Euro 2024 when the Irish mustered only one shot on target.

Despite the withdrawal of Paris Saint-Germain star Neves, Martinez has a wealth of top-class options in midfield and attack and a 2-0 Portugal win is worth a bet in the correct-score market.

Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson will demand a positive response from his side after their shocking defeat in Armenia.

But the Republic of Ireland lost 2-0 to England and Greece (both at home and away) during the 2024-25 Nations League and they may lack the attacking firepower to unsettle Portugal on Saturday.

Back Portugal to win 2-0 at 24/5 with LiveScore Bet

The latest Portugal vs Republic of Ireland odds are available on LiveScore Bet