Prediction: Ireland vs Armenia

Verdict: Ireland win

Best Odds: 4/11

Bookmaker: Unibet

With their League B status still hanging firmly in the balance, Ireland will welcome Armenia to Dublin on Tuesday night.

Ireland

Starting with the hosts, marking their return from the summer break with a downbeat display away at British rivals Scotland over the weekend, Ireland will be glad to make a return to home soil here. Holding just a one-point buffer over Tuesday’s guests and still in a scrap to extend on their League B status, the Greens have continued to show a string of inconsistencies throughout this year’s Nations League adventure. In fact, aside from a thumping 3-0 victory against the Tartan Army on June 11th, that is the only League B1 win that Stephen Kenny’s men have collected from their five attempts. However, knowing that they do have a golden chance in midweek, Ireland should be boosted by their extended rugged displays on home soil. Including back-to-back stalemates against Portugal and Belgium, Kenny’s side have lost just one of their last eight matchups in Dublin across all competitions.

Team News

Ireland will be unable to call upon Burnley midfielder Josh Cullen on Tuesday night as the ex-West Ham starlet serves a suspension here.

Swansea striker Michael Obafemi could spearhead Ireland’s charge in midweek and looks likely to be joined by Tottenham’s Troy Parrot in attack.

Armenia

As for the visitors, while Armenia might still hold an outside chance of extending on their own League B status on Tuesday night, Joaquín Caparrós’ men are enduring an extended nightmare. Sat rock-bottom of the table and making the trip to Dublin in midweek seeking a minor miracle, the European strugglers were last seen over the weekend putting in another dreadful display. Eventually getting hit with a 5-0 drumming at home against Ukraine, the Mountaineers have lost each of their previous four Nations League matchups. Likewise, it should also be noted, the one-time Sevilla boss has seen his struggling squad lose each of those four straight League B1 showdowns by an aggregate score of 14-1. Despite opening this year’s tournament with a shock 1-0 victory against Ireland on June 4th, Armenia could be in for another stern test in Dublin.

Team News

Facing a must-win showdown here, Armenia will welcome back the duo of Arman Hovhannisyan and Kamo Hovhannisyan on Tuesday night.

The likes of Zhirayr Shaghoyan, Jordy Ararat and Kamo Hovhannisyan will all be hoping for a full recall to Caparrós’ starting XI in Dublin.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides opened this year’s Nations League adventure on June 4th, Armenia picked up a 1-0 victory on home soil.
• However, Tuesday’s guests have lost each of their last four League B1 matchups by an aggregate score of 14-1.
• Ireland have lost just one of their previous eight matchups across all formats in Dublin.
• Armenia have recorded just a single goal on foreign soil from any of their previous seven away fixtures across all competitions.
• Continuing on from the inaugural Nations League in 2018, Ireland have seen six of their seven home fixtures finish with under 2.5 goals.

Conclusion

While Ireland might have opened this year’s Nations League run with a shock 1-0 loss away at Armenia three months ago, the Greens should be smelling the chance to pick up some revenge here. Knowing that a single point will be enough to help them cling to their League B status, Tuesday’s hosts will be desperate to avoid a major banana skin on home soil. Likewise, last seen in Dublin picking up a 3-0 victory against British rivals Scotland, Kenny’s side have lost just one of their previous eight showdowns in the capital. Likewise, with Armenia now losing each of their last four Nations League battles by an aggregate score of 14-1, we’re backing a home win on Tuesday night.

Verdict: Ireland win

Best Odds: 4/11

Bookmaker: Unibet