Armenia are presented with an extremely difficult start to their latest FIFA World Cup qualifying (WCQ) campaign as they host European heavyweights Portugal.
Match News and Current Form
Armenia will kick off their bid to reach a first-ever major tournament as an independent nation with a pair of crucial home games. Since opening the previous WCQ cycle with three successive wins, their form has slipped significantly, as they failed to win any of the subsequent seven qualifiers (D3, L4) while the only teams they’ve beaten since a marquee victory over Wales in June 2023 are Latvia and Kazakhstan. Boss John van ’t Schip was subsequently moved on after just four games in charge and has been replaced by Yegishe Melikyan, who led Pyunik Yerevan into the UEFA Conference League in 2022/23.
Portugal sit sixth in FIFA’s rankings ahead of what is sure to be an emotional occasion as they take to the pitch for the first time since the tragic passing of Diogo Jota. It’s also their first action since beating Spain on penalties to lift the UEFA Nations League for the second time, so Roberto Martínez’s men will be eyeing up a strong start to this WCQ cycle as they’ve needed a play-off to reach three of the last four World Cup finals. They had no such issues in their last qualification campaign for a major tournament as they won all ten games in their Euro 2024 qualifying cycle, so Martínez’s side have proved adept in qualifiers.
Head-to-Head History
Armenia have never managed to get the better of Portugal across six previous H2Hs (D2, L4), though they’ve been beaten in just one of the three meetings they’ve hosted (D2).
Hot Stats and Streaks
Armenia have conceded nine goals before half-time across their previous six WCQ games.
Armenia’s last five matches have produced an average of 4.8 goals per game.
Three of Portugal’s last four goals have come between the 60th and 70th minute.
Portugal have kept six clean sheets across their last eight WCQ away fixtures (W6, D2).
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Armenia’s Eduard Spertsyan has scored their last three goals, and is in fine form having directly contributed to 13 goals in his last ten appearances for club side Krasnodar (G5, A8). Portugal continue to be led by 40-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo, who has netted in three successive internationals and scored in three of his four H2Hs with Armenia - he scored a hat-trick on Portugal’s last visit to Armenia.
Armenia appear close to full strength, while Portugal are without AC Milan winger Rafael Leão due to injury.
For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.
Betting Analysis
Portugal’s vast superiority here makes finding value tricky, but backing them to win and keep a clean sheet should provide a return.
Author: Ryan Fisher