Ireland know nothing a win will do when they take on Armenia at the Aviva Stadium with their World Cup hopes hanging by a thread.
The Eastern Europeans pulled off a famous and deserved 2-1 win they sides met last month in Yerevan, which was a hammer blow to Ireland's hopes of a first finals appearance since 2002.
Heimir Hallgrimsson's side followed that up by putting in their best performance of the campaign against Portugal on Saturday night with Caoimhin Kelleher saving a penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo. However, Ruben Neves headed home in the final minute to condemn the Boys in Green to another defeat.
Can Ireland keep their slim hopes alive or will Armenia cause them more pain and keep their playoff bid on track? The Sporting News brings you this betting preview complete with the latest tips and odds ahead of this huge clash.
Ireland vs. Armenia preview: Can the Boys in Green keep their slim hopes alive?
Ireland came into this qualifying campaign with some hope following a decent run of results under Hallgrimsson.
However, they have now failed to win any of their last five games with their last victory coming in March against a dire Bulgaria side.
The loss in Yerevan last month was the latest low in the national team's decline but a semblance of revenge should just be taken here against a very average Armenia side.
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Head-to-Head: Ireland vs. Armenia
- The two countries have met on five occasions with Ireland holding a 3-2 win advantage.
- As mentioned, Armenia won the last meeting 2-1 in Yerevan.
- Ireland have won the two games played in Dublin - a 2-1 win on the way to EURO 2012 and a 3-2 Nations League win in 2022.
Ireland vs. Armenia: Form Guide
Ireland – Last 5 Matches (All Competitions)
- Portugal 1-0 Ireland (World Cup qualifier)
- Armenia 2-1 Ireland (World Cup qualifier)
- Ireland 2-2 Hungary (World Cup qualifier)
- Luxembourg 0-0 Ireland (friendly)
- Ireland 1-1 Senegal (friendly)
Armenia – Last 5 Matches (All Competitions)
- Hungary 2-0 Armenia (World Cup qualifier)
- Armenia 2-1 Ireland (World Cup qualifier)
- Armenia 0-5 Portugal (World Cup qualifier)
- Montenegro 2-2 Armenia (friendly)
- Kosovo 5-2 Armenia (friendly)
Ireland vs. Armenia Score Prediction
Ireland are the bookmakers' favourites for a reason with Armenia not having won on the road in well over two years. Their only win both home and away in their last 12 games did come in the reverse fixture. It's unlikely to be pretty but but the Boys in Green should just get over the line here to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Prediction: Ireland 1-0 Armenia (11/2 with Sky Bet)
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Ireland vs. Armenia Team News
Ireland Team News
- Festy Ebosele came off injured in Portugal and could miss out here. Mikey Johnston is likely to take his place on the left of a front three.
- Josh Cullen is definitely out through suspension, with Will Smallbone set to start in midfield.
- Troy Parrott could replace Evan Ferguson up front, with the AZ Alkmaar in flying club form prior to a recent knee injury.
Armenia Team News
- Armenia are likely to be unchanged from the side that lost 2-0 to Hungary.
- Eduard Spertsyan opened the scoring in the reverse fixture last month and will be looking to cause Ireland more trouble in Dublin.
Ireland vs. Armenia Predicted Lineups
This is how we think these two sides will lineup on Tuesday night with Troy Parrott starting up front.
Ireland predicted lineup to play Armenia
(3-4-3) Kelleher (GK) — O'Brien, Collins, O'Shea — Coleman, Smallbone, Molumby, Manning — Ogbene, Johnston, Parrott
Armenia predicted lineup to play Ireland
(3-4-3) Avagyan (GK) — Muradyan, Harutyunyan, Piloyan — Hovhannisyan, Iwu, Spertsyan, Tiknizyan — Serobyan, Barseghyan, Zelarayan
Ireland vs. Armenia Betting Odds
- Ireland to Win: 9/20 Bet365
- Armenia to Win: 7/1 Paddy Power
- Draw: 7/2 AK Bets
Bet Builder Tips: Ireland vs. Armenia
Our bet builder for this one is Ireland to win to nil, under 1.5 goals and there to be over 10 corners. This comes to overall best odds of 21.81/1 with Paddy Power. You can build your own bet builder and compare the best bookmaker prices using the tool below.
How to watch Ireland vs. Armenia: Live stream, TV channel
Here's all the key information on how to watch Ireland vs. Armenia tonight.
- Date: Tuesday, October 14
- Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
- Time: 7:45 p.m.
- TV/Stream: Amazon Prime