Republic of Ireland play host to Armenia in the UEFA Nations League on Tuesday evening knowing that a draw will be enough to retain their place in League B.

However, Armenia make the journey to Dublin aware that victory will secure their own status at this tier and relegate their opponents in the process.

Match preview

© Reuters

On the back of four points against Scotland and Ukraine, Republic of Ireland went into the reverse fixture with the former on Saturday evening full of confidence when it came to pulling off the upset.

Everything was on track when John Egan put the Green Army into the lead, but they were ultimately pegged back in the second half by opponents who were motivated to regain top spot in Group B1.

Although Stephen Kenny will take positives from the performance at Hampden Park, his side have now been left needing to earn a point from their final fixture of the campaign.

Having only lost three times in 13 matches, Kenny will be optimistic that they can get over the line, but they are facing opponents who surprised them back in June.

Eduard Spertsyan's 74th-minute goal earned the minnows of the group a 1-0 success in Yerevan, leaving Republic of Ireland playing catch-up in a group that they would have been hoping to win.

© Reuters

While a total of four points from five games does not read well when looking at the standings, each of Republic of Ireland's losses have come by a one-goal margin.

As for Armenia, they have suffered four successive defeats since that famous win, conceding 14 goals in the process to highlight the magnitude of their victory in the reverse fixture.

Joaquin Caparros's side's solitary goal came during the early stages at home to Scotland before they eventually lost out by a 4-1 scoreline.

On Saturday, the Mountaineers went down 5-0 to Ukraine in front of their own supporters, and confidence will be low ahead of their final fixture.

Nevertheless, with survival at the second tier still a possibility, Armenia are motivated to record their first away triumph since edging out Liechtenstein back in March 2021.

Team News

© Reuters

Kenny will make at least one change to his Republic of Ireland XI with Josh Cullen serving a one-match ban for two yellow cards.

Alan Browne or Jeff Hendrick are likely to be drafted into the centre of midfield in what could prove to be the only alteration from Saturday.

Matt Doherty should retain his spot at right wing-back despite making his first start of the campaign at Hampden Park.

Armenia will be able to call upon Arman Hovhannisyan and Kamo Hovhannisyan after they each served their suspensions for red cards against Scotland in June.

Hovhannisyan could replace Zhirayr Margaryan at left-back, although much could depend on whether Caparros chooses to revert back to a defensive five.

Republic of Ireland possible starting lineup:
Bazunu; Collins, Egan, O'Shea; Doherty, Browne, Molumby, Knight, McClean; Parrott, Obafemi

Armenia possible starting lineup:
Yurchenko; Hambardzumyan, Mkoyan, Calisir, Hovhannisyan; Barseghyan, Dashyan, Grigoryan, Bayramyan; Bichakhchyan, Zelarayan

We say: Republic of Ireland 2-1 Armenia

Having already defeated Republic of Ireland in this group, Armenia will have every confidence that they can battle their way to a win in Dublin. That said, it would represent some turnaround after Saturday's defeat versus Ukraine, and we feel that the home side should have enough quality to come through this contest with three points.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

Written by
Darren Plant

Previews by email