2022-23 UEFA Nations League: Armenia vs Republic of Ireland

Armenia host Republic of Ireland at Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium in their opening Group B1 clash of 2022-23 UEFA Nations League.

With Wales and Scotland not in action until Wednesday due to other commitments, victory would see Armenia or Republic of Ireland seize the early initiative and go top of Group B1.

 

Team News

Embed from Getty Images

Armenia have no fresh injury concerns to report with a full squad available for selection.

Republic of Ireland have no fresh injury concerns to report as CJ Hamilton and Festy Ebosele both look for starts, following their maiden senior international call-ups to the squad.

 

Stat Attack

• This is Armenia’s first meeting against Republic of Ireland in the UEFA Nations League.
• Republic of Ireland have won each of their two previous meetings against Armenia in all competitions (W2) – winning 1-0 away in September 2010 then 2-1 at home in October 2011.
• Only three of 11 disciplinary bookings in Armenia’s two previous meetings against Ireland came before half-time, of which they all came in Dublin in October 2011.
• Armenia are unbeaten in eight of their last nine Nations League matches (W5, D3, L1) dating back to October 2018, with their only defeat coming away to North Macedonia 2-1 in September 2020.
• Chiedozie Ogbene has scored in each of Ireland’s last two away matches in all competitions (W2).

 

Prediction

Having hit a poor run of form with just one victory in their last 11 matches across all competitions and a lacklustre defence, Armenia certainly will need to make home advantage count if they are to get their Nations League campaign off to a strong start.

Add in the fact that they have two clashes with Scotland and a difficult encounter against Ukraine to come in this international window, you can’t deny the thought that this is already a must-win match for Armenia if they’re to avoid relegation to Nations League C.

Republic of Ireland meanwhile have been in totally opposite form with just one defeat across their last 12 matches in all competitions, even if they did have to weather stubborn defending against Lithuania last time out to snatch a winner with patience.

In fact based on the form of both teams, it would be a shocker if this finishes goalless but Armenia need to improve their defence, otherwise I can see Ireland taking the win with a decent performance.

Prediction: Armenia 1-2 ROI

Result: Armenia 1-0 ROI