Portugal vs Ireland Prediction: Irish to take no prisoners in Portugal

Three players are in line to make their Ireland debuts as interim head coach Paul O’Connell prepares his side for Saturday night’s (19:00 BST, Rugby Pass TV) Test match against Portugal at the Estadio Nacional do Jamor.

Below are my Portugal vs Ireland predictions, as well as all the essential team news and match odds for the encounter in Lisbon.

Team News

Portugal are yet to name their team for Saturday’s encounter in the capital, but head coach Simon Mannix is likely to side with a largely experienced side for this monumental challenge.

Ireland’s interim boss O’Connell has already confirmed his side, with the Irish going for a front row of Jack Boyle, Gus McCarthy and Thomas Clarkson.

Tom Ahern and Darragh Murray make up the second row, with Ryan Baird, Alex Kendellen and Cian Prendergast completing the pack.

Craig Casey captains the side at scrum-half, with Jack Crowley at fly-half.

Stuart McCloskey and Hugh Gavin start in the centres, with Shayne Bolton, Tommy O’Brien and Jimmy O’Brien in the back three.

Bolton, Kendellen and Gavin will all be making their Test debuts in this fixture.

Portugal vs Ireland Odds

Portugal are the 14/1 underdogs to cause what would be a major upset in Lisbon, while Ireland are the overwhelming favourites at 1/80.

A draw at the Estadio Nacional do Jamor on Saturday night is currently available at 28/1.

Ireland -39 handicap @ 13/10

Looking back at Portugal’s recent results, back-to-back defeats to neighbours Spain and Romania don’t make for great reading ahead of Ireland’s arrival in Lisbon.

Conceding 42 points to Spain and 21 against Romania, with both of those games at home for the Portuguese, defence is likely to be a major issue for the hosts this weekend.

Ireland might well be missing their stars away with the British & Irish Lions in Australia, but there is enough quality in this side to secure a commanding victory on Saturday.

The Irish have managed to win eight of their last 10 games and will head to Lisbon knowing that across the 80 minutes, they can put up a big score against the Portuguese.

Don’t be surprised if Portugal do have their moments in this game, as they managed to score three tries when they played Scotland at Murrayfield back in November.

However, that was against a largely second-string Scotland side who still managed to win the game 59-21 in Edinburgh.

Fly-half Crowley will be looking to put in a performance to put pressure on first-choice No.10 Sam Prendergast going into this year’s autumn internationals.

Crowley is a quality player and the playmaker can help Ireland secure not just the victory on Saturday but also help the visitors cover the substantial -39 handicap in the process at the Estadio Nacional do Jamor.

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