Armenia are set to take on Portugal on Saturday, 6 September as both teams get their World Cup qualifying campaigns underway.
The match marks the first time that Portugal have taken to the field since winning the UEFA Nations League in the summer, and they are expected to put on a show.
For Armenia, the match is a free hit, as they aren't expected to compete with Portugal for top spot in Group F.
As part of this week's round of World Cup qualifying betting tips, check out our Armenia vs Portugal prediction below.
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Armenia vs Portugal prediction: The visitors to run riot
Key Stats
- Armenia have lost by three goals or more in three of their last four matches.
- Portugal won ten out of ten matches in their most recent qualifying campaign for Euro 2024.
- Cristiano Ronaldo has scored five goals in his last six international matches.
Correct score prediction: Armenia 0-3 Portugal
These are the types of matches that Portugal have found very easy under Roberto Martinez, and they rarely disappoint. The attacking players that they have available to them are far beyond the capabilities of the Armenian defence, and things could get ugly if they get a couple of early goals.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Armenia are big underdogs
- HOME: 18/1 (19.00) – 5.3%
- DRAW: 8/1 (9.00) – 11.1%
- AWAY: 2/15 (1.13) – 88.2%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
The Armenia vs Portugal odds suggest that Portugal are going to enjoy themselves on Saturday, a notion that our prediction backs up. Ladbrokes have given Armenia just a 5.3% chance of winning the match, while Portugal have been given a whopping 88.2% chance of victory.
You can find all our predictions for today's games on our football betting tips page.
Most recent H2Hs: A first meeting in 11 years
The match on Saturday will mark the first time that these two teams have played against each other since 2015. A lot has changed since then, other than the fact that Cristiano Ronaldo was still playing up front for Portugal. The match in 2015 was part of World Cup qualifying and was far closer than it should have been, with Portugal only narrowly coming out on top 3-2.
Euro 2015 Qualifying 13/06/15
Armenia
Portugal
Euro 2014 Qualifying 14/11/14
Portugal
Armenia
Armenia preview: Briasco withdraws
Armenia's plans for the match were thrown into disarray when Norberto Briasco withdrew from the squad due to a family issue. Matters haven't been helped by Narek Grigoryan picking up an injury just as he was gearing up to make his first international appearance. Five years on from Mkhitaryan's international retirement, the squad still looks weak.
Predicted lineup: Cancarevic (GK), Hovhannisyan, Mkrtchyan, Arutyunyan, Muradyan, Tiknizyan, Dashyan, Iwu, Bichakhchyan, Zelarayan, Barseghyan
Last five matches
- Montenegro 2-2 Armenia
- Kosovo 5-2 Armenia
- Georgia 6-1 Armenia
- Armenia 0-3 Georgia
- Latvia 1-2
Portugal preview: A chance to remember Jota
This will be Portugal's first match since the passing of Diogo Jota, and the players will want to do everything they can to honour their former teammate. Diogo Dalot has been forced to withdraw from the squad due to a muscle problem, while Rafael Leao was left out of the squad as a precaution.
Predicted lineup: Costa (GK), Cancelo, Dias, Silva, Mendes, Vitinha, Fernandes, Bernardo, Conceicao, Ronaldo, Neto
Last five matches
- Portugal 2-2 Spain
- Germany 1-2 Portugal
- Portugal 3-2 Denmark
- Denmark 1-0 Portugal
- Croatia 1-1 Portugal
Player to watch: Cristiano Ronaldo
While there are still many people out there who say that Cristiano Ronaldo should have retired from international football years ago, the 40-year-old continues to score goals at more than an acceptable rate for the national team. He has five goals in four previous appearances against Armenia and you would be foolish to bet against him getting more on Saturday.