Prediction: Portugal vs Ireland

Verdict: Portugal win

Best Odds: 4/11

Bookmaker: Luckster

Looking to make one final statement before they open their Euro 24 adventure, Portugal will welcome Ireland to Aveiro on Tuesday night.

Portugal

Starting with the hosts, left frustrated on home soil over the weekend as they eventually fell to a 2-1 loss against World Cup bronze medalists Croatia, Portugal will be seeking an immediate response here. Nevertheless, rightfully smelling a golden opportunity on Tuesday night, Roberto Martinez’s men have continued to shine since their Middle Eastern exit 18 months ago. Storming their way to this summer’s European Championships by winning all of their 10 qualifying appearances by an aggregate score of 36-2, the former Belgium boss finds his squad tipped as a potential contender in Germany this month. It should also be noted, aside from their 2-1 loss at the hands of Croatia a few days ago, that is the only defeat that Portugal have suffered in front of their own supporters since way back in September 2022.

Team News

Left as an unused substitute against Croatia over the weekend, five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo should feature at some point on Tuesday night as he looks set to earn a 207th international cap. Getting their EURO 24 adventure underway in just a few days time, Martinez will be temped to make a few changes here.

Bagging a consolation strike against Croatia on Saturday evening and now finding the net in back-to-back appearances over the past week, Liverpool star Diego Jota should be handed a full recall in Aveiro.

Ireland

As for the visitors, while Ireland might have continued to show a string of glaring issues over the past couple of years, they will take plenty of positives from an eye-catching performance over the weekend. Snatching a last-gasp 2-1 victory against EURO 24 outfit Hungary in Dublin, interim boss John O’Shea will be calling on another gritty performance when they arrive in Aveiro on Tuesday night. However, mustering just a pair of wins from any of their previous nine appearances across all competitions, the one-time Manchester United defender will be bracing himself for a heavyweight challenge here. Losing three of their previous four showdowns on foreign soil, Ireland have failed to win any of their five historic trips to the former European champions. Despite claiming a much-welcomed boost last weekend, O’Shea’s temporary squad are rightfully installed as a landslide underdog on Tuesday.

Team News

With O’Shea potentially looking to make a handful of alterations on Tuesday night, Lyon defender Jake O’Brien could be handed a chance from the start here. With continued speculation over a potential summer switch to Scottish giants Celtic, Liverpool shot-stopper Caoimhin Kelleher will keep his spot between the sticks.

Coming off the bench and bagging what was a sensational last-gaps winner in Dublin over the weekend, Tottenham youngster Troy Parrott could be handed a recall and spearhead Ireland’s charge.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Portugal and Ireland last met back in November 2023 while in World Cup qualifying action, Tuesday’s opponents played out a 0-0 stalemate.
• However, the Greens have failed to win any of their five historic trips to Portugal.
• Saturday’s 2-1 loss against Croatia was the first defeat that Portugal have suffered on home soil since September 2022.
• Ireland have lost three of their previous four appearances outside of Dublin.
• Seven of the previous eight meetings between Portugal and Ireland have finished with under 3.5 goals.

Conclusion

While Ireland might have sprung an upset in Dublin over the weekend as they snatched a last-gasp 2-1 victory against Hungary, the Greens will be more than aware that they face a monumental step up in class here. Failing to win any of their five historic trips to the former European champions, they will meet a Portugal squad that are pencilled in as a potential contender over in Germany this month. Although Martinez’s men might have been shocked on Saturday evening as they fell to a 2-1 defeat at home against Croatia, we are backing the Navigators to claim an immediate response in Aveiro.

Verdict: Portugal win

Best Odds: 4/11

Bookmaker: Luckster