The Republic of Ireland did well to salvage a draw in their opener against Hungary but should find their trip to Armenia a big opportunity to chalk up their first win.
The Republic of Ireland came from two goals down to snatch a 2-2 draw at home to Hungary in the first of six World Cup Group F qualifiers, but they will only have eyes for victory when taking on Armenia at Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium in Yerevan on Tuesday.
It would be easy to look at Ireland’s match against Hungary, which featured a 52nd-minute red card for visiting winger Roland Sallai, and conclude that it was a case of two points dropped for the home side.
But there was an air of positivity after Adam Idah’s injury-time leveller and Ireland head coach Heimir Halgrimsson will want his players to kick on against the basement boys.
Armenia are the section’s fourth seeds and were outclassed at the weekend, losing 5-0 at home to Portugal.
Their fixture with Ireland should be more competitive and is the subject of a bet builder which, if successful, returns odds of around 13/2.
Armenia vs Republic of Ireland Bet Builder
Selections
Irish should secure the spoils
Ireland’s equalising goal against Hungary felt like a big moment and it can be built upon with a victory over out-of-sorts Armenia, who are going through a wretched run of results.
The Boys in Green faced Armenia in the 2022 Nations League, losing 1-0 in Yerevan and winning 3-2 in Dublin.
The teams looked fairly well matched on those occasions but they have gone in different directions with Ireland making tentative progress and the Armenians suffering a dramatic downturn in performance.
Armenia have won just three of their last 21 fixtures and have been especially uncompetitive in 2025, losing 9-1 on aggregate to Georgia in a Nations League play-off and 5-0 at home to Portugal in Saturday’s World Cup qualifier.
The Armenians have not kept a clean sheet in 32 attempts and their lack of resilience can be exposed by Ireland, who look solid odds-on favourites to secure three precious points.
Leg 1: Ireland to win @ 3/4
Ferguson can find a finish
Evan Ferguson’s bundled finish against Hungary was far from a thing of beauty but it might be the start of a fruitful campaign for a player who has yet to realise his potential.
Ferguson made his Premier League debut for Brighton at the age of 17 and won his first senior international cap at 18.
After making a bright start to his Brighton career, Ferguson suffered issues with injuries and loss of form.
However, he agreed a loan move to Roma earlier this summer and it seems to be bearing fruit.
Ferguson started both of Roma’s opening two Serie A games, but his goal at the weekend could be the moment that ignites his season.
The 20-year-old showed bundles of ability as a teenager and should have the tools to take down one of the weakest defences in international football.
Leg 2: Evan Ferguson to score anytime @ 21/10
Hosts may avoid a hammering
While Ireland should have more than enough to get the win, they might not be ruthless enough to run up a big score.
Ireland were involved in a four-goal thriller against Hungary but 15 of their previous 16 games had generated less than four goals.
Leg 3: Under 3.5 goals @ 2/7
