Portugal vs Armenia preview, prediction, team news and head-to-head

Portugal missed their chance to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a shocking 2-0 defeat to Ireland, but there is no need to panic as they can finally seal their ticket with a win over bottom-placed Armenia.

Armenia are bottom of the group with just one win in 5 games, and their fate has been sealed, making the result of this game inconsequential to their chances.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s first international red card headlined a dismal night for Roberto Martínez’s side, but they remain in control of Group F as a win here will seal their place in the World Cup.

They’re already guaranteed a play-off place despite Thursday’s unexpected loss, and they ought to be confident given that they’re unbeaten across their last seven home fixtures (W6, D1).

Armenia’s battling 1-0 loss to Hungary on Thursday evening confirmed that they can no longer qualify for the finals (W1, L4), so there is little on the line for them as they complete a group stage that had promised much more after beating Ireland 2-1 in September.

That remains Yegishe Melikyan’s side’s only win across their last nine games (D1, L7) so they’re unlikely to be relishing their trip to Portugal, especially as they’re also winless across their last five games on foreign soil (D1, L4).

Portugal and Armenia have met once in this campaign, a match that fully reflected the gulf in quality between the two teams as Portugal swept to a 5-0 away victory.

They are also unbeaten across all seven previous meetings with Armenia (W5, D2) and have won three of the last four without conceding.

Ronaldo will miss this game after his red card against Ireland, while Pedro Neto and Pedro Gonçalves withdrew before the Ireland game due to injury.

Armenia are without Tigran Barseghyan, who is suspended after being sent off against Ireland last month.

Portugal: D Costa; N Semedo, Inacio, Dias, Dalot; J Neves, Fernandes, Vitinha; Bernardo, G Ramos, Leao

Armenia: Avagyan; Piloyan, Muradyan, Mkrtchyan, Tiknizyan; Hovhannisyan, Muradyan, Spertsyan; Sevikyan, Ranos, Shaghoyan

We just can't see an upset here. Expect Portugal to win and win comfortably, even without the talismanic Cristiano Ronaldo.

Correct score prediction - Portugal 3-0 Armenia.

Betting Tips

• Over 2.5 goals

• Bruno Fernandes to score anytime