The Republic of Ireland are gearing up for a crucial rematch with Armenia in what promises to be a gripping FIFA World Cup qualifier at the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday 14th October, with the kick-off time scheduled for 7:45pm.
Tuesday’s game carries extra weight for Ireland following their dismal 2-1 defeat to the same opponents in Yerevan last month, a loss that has put the Boys in Green on the back foot in the race to qualify from Group F.
With tougher tests to come, only a win over Armenia will suffice for Heimir Hallgrímsson’s side in Dublin, and anything other than three points in the capital will heap more pressure on the under-fire Icelandic coach.
Ireland team preview
Hallgrímsson and Ireland head into Tuesday’s clash under intense scrutiny following their hugely disappointing start in the qualifiers.
Ireland’s 2-1 reverse in Yerevan on 9th September was a new low, and but for Caoimhin Kelleher’s heroics (six saves), a dominant Armenia might have padded the final scoreline even further.
The defeat highlighted some of Ireland’s ongoing issues from the past 12 months. They conceded a first-half goal for the fourth competitive game in a row under Hallgrímsson, while the Irish players struggled to match the technical quality of their Armenian counterparts.
Hallgrímsson, who has overseen just four wins in 12 games since his appointment in July 2024, admitted that his position was precarious post-match, telling RTE: “Everything needs to be perfect from now on.”
To that end, Hallgrímsson announced a 24-man squad for the October international break that had some interesting additions, with Seamus Coleman, Troy Parrott, Festy Ebosele, Jayson Molumby and Will Smallbone earning recalls, while Hull City’s John Egan is back in the fold for the first time since September 2023.
Callum O’Dowda, Matt Doherty, Jason Knight and Sammie Szmodics miss out through injury, though Dundee United and former Ireland Under-21 fullback Will Ferry joins the senior setup for the first time.
The shakeup in personnel could inspire a switch from the 3-5-2 formation used by Ireland against Armenia in September to a more compact 4-3-3, with a higher emphasis on pressing from the front to disrupt the passing patterns that Ireland struggled to combat in Yerevan.
As always, set pieces will be key, and Ireland will be determined to utilise Ryan Manning’s pinpoint deliveries, just like they did in their 2-2 comeback draw with Hungary in Dublin on 6th September.
Roma star Evan Ferguson is likely to spearhead the attack, though fans at the Aviva Stadium will want to see him flanked by exciting runners such as Chiedozie Ogbene and Mikey Johnston.
Potential starting XI: Kelleher (GK), O’Brien, O’Shea, Collins, Manning, Cullen, Molumby, Smallbone, Ogbene, Johnston, Ferguson
Armenia team preview
Armenia’s upset against Ireland in September might not have changed their overall qualifying outlook, but it should serve to give them more belief that they can start to punch above their weight against higher-ranked opponents.
Their goals arrived via a penalty by Eduard Spertsyan and a header from Grant-Leon Ranos, though their football on the floor during open play sparkled throughout last month’s contest, and the manner of their display should be a proper confidence builder ahead of their trip to Dublin.
To say that Armenia’s triumph over the Irish was unexpected would be putting it mildly, however. They were dismantled 5-0 by Portugal in their first qualifier, while their only victories in 2024 came against fellow minnows Latvia (twice) and Kazakhstan.
Armenia have also only won just once in their last 10 attempts on the road during qualification campaigns, so a definite away-day weakness is there.
In terms of team news, all 11 players who started against Ireland last month are present again, including creative duo Lucas Zelarayán and Tigran Barseghyan, as well as flying Red Star Belgrade fullback Nair Tiknizyan, who registered an assist in September’s win.
Head coach Yegishe Melikyan is unlikely to deviate from the 4-2-3-1 formation that worked so well against Ireland in Yerevan.
Armenia played with good variety in September, working short passing combinations through the middle at times while also stretching the Irish lines with swift counter-attacks.
They might not play quite as expansively in Dublin, and a deep, defensive line with a more direct attacking approach with long balls over the Irish defence might be the order of the day instead.
Forwards Lucas Zelarayán, Tigran Barseghyan and Grant-Leon Ranos tormented Ireland at the Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium, and Armenia will be looking to that trio for inspiration again in Dublin.
Potential starting XI: Čančarević (GK), Piloyan, Muradyan, Tiknizyan, Spertsyan, Iwu, Hovhannisyan, Kamo, Zelarayán, Barseghyan, Ranos
H2H record
The head-to-head record between the Republic of Ireland and Armenia dates spans 15 years, with the nations first crossing paths in 2010 when they were paired in the same qualification group for Euro 2012.
A late Keith Fahey goal earned the Republic three points in Armenia in the teams’ first encounter in September 2010, while an own goal and a Richard Dunne winner allowed Ireland to complete the double over the Armenians in November 2011.
Ireland and Armenia have met five times in total, with the Boys in Green enjoying three wins and Armenia winning the other two encounters.
Three of the sides’ last four tussles have produced over 2.5 goals, with Ireland’s 3-2 win at the Aviva Stadium in a 2022 Nations League skirmish the highest-scoring contest between the countries to date.
The Republic haven’t kept a clean sheet in any of their last four bouts with Armenia, failing to shut out their opponents since that first meeting back in 2010.
Ireland’s 2-1 loss to Armenia last month was described as “humbling” by Sky Sports in the aftermath, though it was actually their second defeat in a row in Yerevan. Ireland were beaten 1-0 there in June 2022 in the Nations League.
Irish players to watch
With a shot at redemption on the line, Ireland will be determined to perform as a collective at the Aviva, though several key players are likely to play an integral role in any Irish success in Dublin.
Caoimhin Kelleher (Brentford)
The 26-year-old shone on a dark day for Ireland in Yerevan, and his impressive tally of six saves included a flurry of stops to thwart late efforts from the hosts on the counter.
The former Liverpool number two is now Ireland’s undisputed number one, and although Kelleher might not be quite as busy against Armenia in Dublin, his sharp reflexes and smart distribution will still be required.
Chiedozie Ogbene (Sheffield United)
Ogbene’s domestic football has been impacted by injuries this season, though the tricky winger is finally approaching peak fitness and his ability to beat markers one-on-one is a rare attribute in this Irish squad.
The Corkman is an unpredictable livewire on the right flank, who seems to save his best work for when he dons a green shirt. Ogbene hasn’t scored for Ireland since 2023 – however, his mazy runs tend to invite mistimed tackles from defenders, making him a candidate to consider in the fouls drawn market against Armenia.
Evan Ferguson (Roma)
Ferguson’s curler consolation in Yerevan in September was his seventh goal in 24 international appearances and the 20-year-old remains Ireland’s likeliest goalscorer again on Tuesday.
Loanee Ferguson has been playing in fits and starts for Roma at club level, but hasn’t scored for his temporary Italian employers since netting a couple of times in pre-season.
The centre-forward was underserviced and ineffective on his last start for Roma against Lille in the Europa League last week, though he has three goals in six games for Ireland in 2025 and he has the tools to hurt Armenia again. Backing Ferguson in the anytime goalscorer market could reap dividends.
Our expert predictions
Ireland can harness home advantage to beat Armenia if they start Tuesday’s game with the right energy, though they have kept only two clean sheets in 12 matches under Heimir Hallgrímsson, and a shutout might be beyond them again here.
A 2-1 Ireland win, which would be a reversal of the scoreline in Yerevan, could be the outcome to back in Dublin, with Evan Ferguson a docket-worthy addition from the anytime goalscorer market.
Ireland could unlock chances from set plays earned by Chiedozie Ogbene’s quick feet, with Ryan Manning’s left foot supplying the ammunition from dead balls.
For those eyeing a flutter, check the live odds here at Tonybet, where you’ll find competitive prices and extensive markets for Ireland’s clash with Armenia.
