Portugal v Rep of Ireland: Kick-off time, TV details and team news

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW: Ireland will head to Portugal on Saturday for their World Cup qualifier clash against top seeds in Lisbon. Ireland need to target a minimum of two wins from their last four games to salvage entry to the play-offs. Pic: Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile

Ireland will head to Portugal on Saturday for their World Cup qualifier clash against top seeds in Lisbon. Ireland need to target a minimum of two wins from their last four games to salvage entry to the play-offs. 

Heimir Hallgrímsson believes that his side has what it takes to secure qualification as they head to the group leaders in the hopes of causing and upset.

Here is all you need to know ahead of the clash.

Where is the game being played?

This will take place in Estàdio Josè Alvalade in Lisbon.

What time is kick-off?

The game kicks-off at 7.45pm (Irish time) on Saturday October 11.

Where to watch?

RTÉ Two will be broadcasting the match and their coverage starts at 7pm. The Irish Examiner will have a liveblog providing updates on the best of the action as it happens.

Who is the referee?

Per Eliasson from Sweden will be the man in the middle for this one.

Team News

Evan Ferguson is expected to be fit to feature on Saturday as Ireland attempt to revive their World Cup campaign against top seeds Portugal.

Doubts surfaced about the striker’s availability for the double-header, that includes a rematch against Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday week, when AS Roma reported an ankle injury kept him out of Sunday’s win over Fiorentina.

However, the forward who has scored in his last three competitive games for Ireland reported with the rest of the Ireland squad on Monday ahead of their first training session on Tuesday.

The results of a scan undertaken over the weekend indicate the 20-year-old will be recovered in time to lead the line against Cristiano Ronaldo and Co in Portugal’s first home match of the campaign. They sit top of the pool after wins on the road against Armenia (4-0) and Hungary (3-2).

Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrímsson has granted Dundee United left-back Will Ferry his maiden call-up.

He replaces Callum O’Dowda, the Ferencváros defender who was last week recalled before being injured in Thursday’s Europa League win away to Genk.

It’s understood Corkman Josh Honohan was considered for a recall but an injury sustained for Shamrock Rovers in Sunday’s FAI Cup semi-final victory over Kerry quashed that option.

Ipswich Town’s Sammie Szmodics is also ruled out, leaving the squad at 23 players.

Hallgrímsson admits Ireland require a miracle to reach next year’s World Cup after they followed up a 2-2 draw at home to Hungary by losing 2-1 away to Armenia. A minimum target of two wins from the last four games could salvage entry to the playoffs, according to the Icelander, whose contracts runs in tandem with Ireland’s involvement in the campaign. John Fallon

Ireland squad v Portugal & Armenia:

Goalkeepers: Caoimhín Kelleher (Brentford), Gavin Bazunu (Southampton), Mark Travers (Everton) Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Jake O'Brien (Everton), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Dara O'Shea (Ipswich Town), Liam Scales (Celtic), John Egan (Hull City), Ryan Manning (Southampton), Will Ferry (Dundee United).

Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Burnley), Will Smallbone (Millwall), Jack Taylor (Ipswich Town), Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Finn Azaz (Southampton).

Attackers: Evan Ferguson (AS Roma), Troy Parrott (AZ Alkmaar), Adam Idah (Swansea City), Mikey Johnston (West Bromwich Albion), Chiedozie Ogbene (Sheffield United), Festy Ebosele (İstanbul Başakşehir), Kasey McAteer (Ipswich Town).

Portugal team news

Portugal have lost João Neves, one half of their Paris Saint-Germain Champions League winning partnership, for Saturday’s World Cup qualifier against Ireland.

Roberto Martinez has drafted in Lazio’s left-sided defender Nuno Tavares as a replacement.

The group’s top seeds began the campaign last month by claiming maximum points from fixtures away to Armenia and Hungary.

They complete this month’s window by hosting Hungary, also at Sporting’s 52,000-seater stadium in the capital, next Tuesday. Read John Fallon's full article here.

Portugal squad for Ireland and Hungary World Cup qualifiers 

Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (FC Porto), José Sá (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Rui Silva (Sporting CP).

Defenders: Diogo Dalot ( Manchester United), Nélson Semedo (Fenerbahçe), Nuno Mendes (PSG), Rúben Dias (Manchester City), Gonçalo Inácio (Sporting CP), António Silva (SL Benfica), Renato Veiga (Villarreal).

Midfielders: João Palhinha (Tottenham Hotspur), Rúben Neves (Al Hilal), Nuno Tavares (Lazio), Matheus Nunes (Manchester City), Vitinha (PSG), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Pedro Gonçalves (Sporting CP), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City).

Forwards: João Félix (Al Nassr), Francisco Trincão (Sporting CP), Francisco Conceição (Juventus), Pedro Neto (Chelsea FC), Rafael Leão (AC Milan) Gonçalo Ramos (PSG), Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr).