THE Republic of Ireland have finally begun to get results for Stephen Kenny but it has come way too late to salvage their World Cup bid and this Dublin clash with Portugal is all about regaining pride.
Gaffer Kenny's long wait for a competitive win ended last month with a 3-0 win as Azerbaijan and his squad followed it up by battering Qatar 4-0 in a friendly. That made it four games unbeaten for the Irish after draws with the Azeris and Serbia in Dublin.
They also came within a whisker of a famous victory in Portugal before that run of games, leading 1-0 with a minute to play before Cristiano Ronaldo's double broke their hearts and brought up two bets for our man Slips Tips.
There finally appears to be some light for Kenny at the end of an extremely long tunnel but Qatar 2022 is a write-off with just five points collected from their first six games in Group A.
This game means much more to the Portuguese who are scrapping with the Serbs to secure top spot and automatic qualification for the World Cup.
Serbia are a point ahead at the moment but have played a game more so Ronaldo and Co know a win in Dublin will return them to the summit before the top two face off in a dramatic Lisbon decider.
How the bookies view it
Given Ireland's form so far in the group it's no great surprise to see them as big as 10/1 with SBK while Portugal are just 4/11 with the same firm. Three of the last six games for the Irish have ended in draws and the stalemate pays 17/4 at Mansionbet here.
Head to head
The Portuguese have dominated Ireland in recent meetings, with that 2-1 win in the Algarve (below) making it just one defeat in the last seven games.
But that loss came when Portugal last visited Dublin for a friendly in 2005 and the Irish have a decent home record against them. In six meetings on Irish soil they have lost just twice.
Players to watch
It was all about Ronaldo (below) when these nations last faced off but the Manchester United star isn't great value for a goal here at just 8/11 with Paddy Power. So I'm going to back Liverpool's Diogo Jota instead as he has four goals for Portugal already in this qualifying campaign. SportNation price him at 28/17 to take that tally to five in Dublin.
Callum Robinson scored five times in the last international break for Ireland but let me down after I backed him to score in the next West Brom game. That's one of six blanks since that hot streak for the Irish but he's still their best bet for a goal here and is 9/2 with Bet365.
Anything else catch the eye?
The Republic made Portugal sweat for their win at home so this could be a tighter game than many are expecting. Kenny's troops might be worth a punt in the handicaps where Ireland +2 pays a decent 4/5 at Betway. Betting on between two and three match goals also appeals at evens with Bet365.
The drama came after the break in the Algarve and I fancy most goals to come in the second half here as well. That bet pays 21/20 at Betfred.
Ireland picked up four yellows in Portugal and backing more of Kenny's players to fall foul of the ref back in Dublin might pay off . Jayson Molumby is 18/5 at BetVictor to be carded and that looks good value if he starts in the midfield.
This World Cup match between Republic of Ireland and Portugal will be played on Nov 11, 2021 and kick off at 19:45. Check below for our tipsters best Republic of Ireland vs Portugal prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
