Prediction: Portugal vs Armenia – Betting Tips, Team News, Key Facts

Verdict: Rafael Leao to score anytime

Best Odds: 7/5

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

Seeking an immediate response on Sunday afternoon as they sign off their Group F campaign, Portugal will welcome Armenia to Porto.

Portugal

Starting with the hosts, watching their World Cup qualifying romp come to a shock end earlier in the week, Portugal will be seeking an immediate response here. Eventually falling to a 2-0 loss away at Ireland, Roberto Martinez’s superstar squad will be looking to prove that toothless performance was nothing more than a minor blip. Nevertheless, still holding a two-point buffer at the top of the Group F standings, the former Belgium boss will be calling on his side to wrap up their World Cup ticket with a statement of intent. Getting their hands on a second Nations League crown over the summer, Portugal will be excited to make a return to home soil here. In fact, the European giants have not suffered a single competitive defeat in front of their own supporters since way back in September 2022.

Portugal Team News

Shown a first international red card away against Ireland on Thursday night, attacking talisman and five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo will miss out through suspension here. Recording four Serie A strikes in his five appearances prior to the international break, AC Milan star Rafael Leao should be handed a full recall.

Left as an unused substitute in Dublin, Manchester City ace Matheus Nunes could start at right-back. Returning from a recent muscle issue, PSG’s Joao Neves will start in the middle of the park and could be partnered alongside ex-Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves.

Armenia

As for the visitors, while Armenia might have clinched a stellar 2-1 victory at home against Ireland on September 9th, it appears that was nothing more than a minor boost for Yegishe Melikyan’s camp. Last seen earlier in the week falling to a 1-0 loss at home against Hungary, the Havakakan sit rock-bottom of the Group D standings and they will be bracing themselves for another monumental challenge here. Losing four of their five World Cup qualifying appearances this year, Sunday’s guests have also continued to show some glaring issues in the final third. Along with drawing a blank in four of those five qualifying battles, Armenia are rightfully installed as a landslide underdog this weekend. Getting their Group D adventure underway with a 5-0 drumming against Portugal on September 6th, Melikyan’s side couldn’t have asked for a tougher challenge on foreign soil.

Armenia Team News

Shown a straight red card against Ireland on October 14th, Slovan Bratislava attacker Tigran Barseghyan is serving a three-match international suspension and will not feature here. Despite note making a single Bundesliga appearance since the start of October, Borussia Monchengladbach youngster Grant-Leon Ranos will lead the line this weekend.

Once again linked with a potential move to Celtic over the summer, Krasnodar star Eduard Spertsyan will lead out Melikyan’s side on Sunday afternoon and earn a 40th international cap in Porto.

Portugal vs Armenia Key Factors to Consider

• When Portugal and Armenia met for their reverse World Cup qualifying meeting on September 6th, the Navigators collected a 5-0 victory on foreign soil.
• Watching their qualifying romp come to an end earlier in the week, Portugal have recorded just a pair of clean sheets in their last 11 appearances across all competitions.
• Armenia have lost four of their five Group D appearances this year.
• Likewise, Sunday’s guests have drawn a blank in four of those five qualifying matchups.
• Portugal have not suffered a single competitive defeat in front of their own supporters since way back in September 2022.

Conclusion

Missing out on the chance to officially book their World Cup ticket on Thursday night, Portugal will be seeking an immediate response here. Excited to make a return to home soil on Sunday afternoon, the reigning Nations League champions are rightfully installed as a landslide contender this weekend. Not suffering a single competitive defeat in front of their own supporters since way back in September 2022, Portugal also hold a dominant record against Armenia. Including a 5-0 romp when they met Sunday’s guests for their reverse showdown on September 6th, they have won all of their last four meetings by an aggregate score of 10-2.

Verdict: Rafael Leao to score anytime

Best Odds: 7/5

Bookmaker: Olympusbet