The Republic of Ireland host Portugal in their penultimate World Cup Group F qualifier this week before travelling to Budapest to face Hungary in their final game
The Republic of Ireland are set to host Portugal in their second-to-last World Cup Group F qualifier this week, before heading off to Budapest for their final match against Hungary.
Remarkably, Heimir Hallgrímsson’s team still have a mathematical chance of topping their group and securing an automatic spot in next summer’s tournament. However, there is a palpable sense of inevitability about the upcoming challenges….
The Boys in Green realistically need either Hungary to drop points in their away game against Armenia or to pull off a memorable victory against Portugal themselves. Both scenarios seem rather improbable.
A draw at the Aviva would essentially guarantee Portugal first place in the group, as they currently sit on ten points. Hungary have five points, with the Republic of Ireland trailing slightly behind on four, just one point ahead of Armenia on three.
Here’s everything you need to know about the match:
Where and when is it?
The match will be held at the Aviva Stadium on Thursday, 13 November.
What time does it start?
Kick-off is scheduled for 7.45pm.
Which TV channel is broadcasting it?
RTE 2 will be airing the match live, with coverage commencing at 7pm. You can also keep up with the action via our live blog.
Republic of Ireland squad
Goalkeepers: Caoimhín Kelleher (Brentford), Gavin Bazunu (Southampton), Mark Travers (Everton).
Defenders: Séamus Coleman (Everton), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Dara O’Shea (Ipswich Town), Jake O’Brien (Everton), Jimmy Dunne (QPR), Liam Scales (Celtic), John Egan (Hull City), Ryan Manning (Southampton)*, Kevin O’Toole (New York City).
Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Burnley), Jayson Molumby (West Brom)*, Finn Azaz (Southampton), Conor Coventry (Charlton Athletic), Jack Taylor (Ipswich Town), Andrew Moran (LAFC), Jamie McGrath (Hibernian).
Attackers: Troy Parrott (AZ Alkmaar), Adam Idah (Swansea City), Johnny Kenny (Celtic), Mikey Johnston (West Brom), Chiedozie Ogbene (Sheffield United), Festy Ebosele (Istanbul Basaksehir).
Portugal squad
Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (Porto), José Sá (Wolves), Rui Silva (Sporting).
Defenders: Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), Nélson Semedo (Fenerbahce), João Cancelo (Al Hilal), Matheus Nunes (Manchester City), Rúben Dias (Manchester City), Gonçalo Inácio (Sporting), António Silva (Benfica), Renato Veiga (Villarreal).
Midfielders: João Palhinha (Tottenham Hotspur), Rúben Neves (Al Hilal), João Neves (PSG), Vitinha (PSG), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City).
Forwards: Pedro Gonçalves (Sporting), João Félix (Al Nassr), Francisco Trincão (Sporting), Francisco Conceição (Juventus), Rafael Leão (AC Milan), Pedro Neto (Chelsea), Carlos Forbs (Club Brugge), Gonçalo Ramos (PSG), Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr).
Quotes corner
Republic of Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson: “Our approach is not going to change, so we need to play a certain style versus Portugal whether we need a win or a draw.
“We can’t go all-in against a team like Portugal, it’s not going to be a basketball match. Then we will take calculated risks if we need to score a goal later on in the game.”
Republic of Ireland captain Nathan Collins: “I think not many teams want to come to the Aviva and go, ‘We’re really up for this, we really want to fight for this’.
“That’s where we gain our motivation, that teams are looking at us and going, ‘Ah, not Ireland away’.
“I think that builds confidence, it builds motivation and you just have to bring it onto the pitch then. You want to create that kind of fortress at home and make it tough for teams coming here.
“It’s what we do on the pitch, winning your duels, winning your battles, playing forward passes, getting in behind them, creating horrible situations for the opposing team. Once we do that, I think the fans back us even more.”
Betting odds
Republic of Ireland win: 7/1
Portugal win: 4/11
Draw: 4/1
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