Verdict: Goal to be scored in both halves
Best Odds: 19/20
Bookmaker: Luckster
Looking to put a maiden World Cup qualifying victory on the board in midweek, Ireland will travel to Armenia on Tuesday evening.
Armenia
Starting with the hosts, suffering an infamous Nations League relegation back in March as they lost their League C status thanks to a woeful 9-1 aggregate defeat at the hands of Georgia, Yegishe Melikyan’s side find themselves at the heart of another public crisis. Getting their World Cup qualifying adventure underway with a 5-0 drumming against European giants Portugal over the weekend, the Group F whipping boys are simply looking to find some kind of boost. Mustering just a single win from any of their previous 10 appearances across all competitions, Armenia have also shown a string of glaring defensive struggles. Including an action-packed 5-2 loss against Kosovo on June 6th, Tuesday’s hosts have shipped 21 goals so far this calendar year.
Armenia Team News
Making a first Bundesliga appearance of the season against Stuttgart last week, Borussia Monchengladbach starlet Grant-Leon Ranos has been recalled to Armenia’s squad and could feature from the start on Tuesday night.
While Tigran Barseghyan might have notched just a single domestic strike for Slovakian giants Slovan Bratislava so far this season, the 31-year-old will lead out Armenia here and earn a 62nd international cap. Linked with a move to Southampton over the summer, Krasnodar star Eduard Spertsyan will start in the middle of the park.
Ireland
As for the visitors, while some in Ireland’s camp might have been disappointed last week as they missed out on the opportunity to open their World Cup qualifying campaign with a victory on home soil, Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side should take plenty of positives away from a major second-half comeback. Eventually dragging themselves to a dramatic 2-2 stalemate against Hungary, the Greens will be desperate to sign off September’s fortnight interval with what could be a crucial qualifying victory. Keeping hold of their Nations League second-tier status earlier in the year as they claimed a 4-2 aggregate win against Bulgaria, Ireland are unbeaten in all of their previous five consecutive appearances across all competitions. In fact, the Greens are enjoying their longest unbeaten run since way back in 2019.
Ireland Team News
Making a permanent switch to Brentford over the summer, former Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher will start between the sticks on Tuesday night and earn a 25th international cap. Appointed Burnley’s club captain ahead of the Clarets’ Premier League return this season, Josh Cullen will start in the middle of the parl.
Completing a loan switch to Italian giants Roma last month and opening his World Cup qualifying campaign against Hungary over the weekend, Evan Ferguson will spearhead Ireland’s charge in the final third.
Armenia vs Ireland Key Factors to Consider
- When Armenia and Ireland last met back in September 2022, the Greens collected a thrilling 3-2 victory in Dublin.
- Ireland are unbeaten in all of their previous five consecutive appearances.
- Tuesday’s guests are enjoying their longest unbeaten run since way back in 2019.
- Armenia have lost their previous three competitive appearances across all competitions by an aggregate score of 14-1.
- Tuesday’s hosts have shipped 21 goals so far this calendar year.
Conclusion
Mounting a stellar second-half comeback at home against Hungary over the weekend as they eventually snatched a 2-2 draw in Dublin, Ireland will be desperate to put a maiden World Cup qualifying victory on the board here. Landing an action-packed 3-2 victory when they last met Armenia back in September 2022, the Greens should be smelling a potential opportunity on foreign soil. Watching Armenia open their respective Group F campaign with a 5-0 drumming against Portugal, Tuesday’s hosts have shown some glaring defensive struggles so far this calendar year.
Verdict: Goal to be scored in both halves
Best Odds: 19/20
Bookmaker: Luckster
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