Republic of Ireland vs Portugal predictions: Leaders set to end Irish hopes
Warren Ashurst
Portugal are unbeaten in their last five meetings with the Republic of Ireland
The visitors have scored 11 goals in their first four qualifiers.
Recommended bet: Draw HT / Portugal FT
With two more qualifiers to play, Portugal lead Group F and know a positive result in Dublin on Thursday will seal their place in next summer's World Cup finals.
The Republic of Ireland are currently third and need a victory to maintain their hopes of a top-two finish, having won just one of their opening four qualifiers.
With 57 places separating the teams in the world rankings, Heimir Hallgrimsson's men are up against it and face another frustrating night at the Aviva Stadium.
The latest Republic of Ireland vs Portugal odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Team News
The hosts will without suspended duo Jayson Molumby and Ryan Manning, while Ferencvaros' Callum O'Dowda is out due to injury.
Ireland are also without Evan Ferguson, after the Roma striker suffered an ankle problem at the weekend.
The absence of the former Brighton man could hand a chance to in-form Celtic frontman Johnny Kenny, who has been called into the squad.
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez will be without Paris Saint-Germain star Nuno Mendes due to a knee issue suffered in his team's Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich.
Manchester United's versatile defender Diogo Dalot is expected to replace Mendes, with Nuno Tavares another absentee.
The stats
Ireland have failed to score in their last three meetings with Portugal.
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored four goals in the last four matches against the Republic of Ireland.
Ireland's 1-0 win over Armenia last month ended a five-game run without a victory.
The hosts' last home victory (1-0) over Portugal came in a friendly back in 2005.
Ronaldo has bagged five goals in four qualifying matches, one more than the Republic of Ireland have managed.
The latest Republic of Ireland vs Portugal odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
With several key players missing, this looks like a step too far for Ireland against a Portugal team that are unbeaten in their last seven internationals.
With qualification within their grasp, Martinez's squad should have too much for the hosts and seal a Group F double over Ireland.
Portugal won 1-0 in October's reverse fixture, having had a Ronaldo penalty saved before a stoppage-time winner from Ruben Neves.
Scoring goals continues to be a problem for the Irish, who have found the net just five times in their last six matches.
The hosts are likely to try and frustrate their opponents for long periods again, with the hope of nicking a goal on the break, but the absence of Evan Ferguson is a big setback.
Two of the last three meetings between the sides have been level at the break and it could be a similar story this time around.
In their 17 previous meetings, Ireland have won just four and only two matches have seen over three goals scored.
Back Draw HT / Portugal FT at 33/10 with LiveScore Bet
The latest Republic of Ireland vs Portugal odds are available on LiveScore Bet
