Armenia host the Republic of Ireland at the Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium in Yerevan on Tuesday 9th September at (17:00 UK time), in a crucial World Cup qualifying Group F clash. Ireland will hope to build momentum under Heimir Hallgrímsson, while Armenia aim to steady the ship following recent upheaval in their coaching staff.
Republic of Ireland to win or draw (2/9 with Ladbrokes)
Ireland hold the upper hand in the head-to-head record, and Armenia are still adjusting under new leadership following off-field turmoil. Ireland are unbeaten in five games, with their last loss coming last November in a 5-0 loss to England. Equally, Armenia haven’t won in their last five games, drawing just one of those matches. Ireland definitely come into this game as favourites and we’d be shocked to see them on the losing side.
Under 2.5 goals (8/11 with Betfred)
Previous encounters have been closely contested, and Armenia’s current instability may lead to a tight, low-scoring affair. Two of the last four meetings between these two nations have ended 1-0, with neither side really showing much superiority in the final third. We can see a similar story occurring here, with a slender victory or a draw being the outcome.
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How both teams go into Armenia vs Republic of Ireland
Armenia arrive amid internal upheaval: manager John van’t Schip was dismissed after just four games in charge (one draw, three losses), while long-serving captain Varazdat Haroyan has retired. New boss Yegishe Melikyan has been drafted in to restore confidence but he didn’t get off to a good start, falling to a 5-0 loss against Portugal.
Republic of Ireland, by contrast, enjoy a steadier backdrop under Heimir Hallgrímsson. The Icelandic coach has spoken positively about the balance of Group F but has also warned against underestimating Armenia — a side that beat Ireland in Yerevan as recently as 2022. For Ireland, this fixture is as much about showing maturity and control as it is about securing three points.
Ireland showed their grit in their last match, coming from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 against Hungary. They’ll need to show similar determination in this game if they hope to leave Armenia with all three points.
Armenia team news
Yegishe Melikyan has named his first squad since taking charge, aiming for a mix of experience and fresh energy. The loss of veteran defender Varazdat Haroyan to international retirement leaves a major gap at the back, and much will depend on how Armenia’s younger defenders cope with the pressure of World Cup qualifying.
Ireland team news
Ireland have been hit by the absence of Troy Parrott, who misses the September double-header through injury. That leaves Evan Ferguson as the central attacking figure, with Hallgrímsson likely to look at alternative wide and supporting options such as Marcus Harness and Adam Idah. The manager has otherwise named a largely settled 23-man squad, blending experience with youth.
Armenia vs Republic of Ireland head-to-head
The two nations have met six times in competitive fixtures, with the Republic of Ireland holding the advantage: three wins, two draws, and just one defeat. Their most famous meeting came in October 2011, when Ireland’s 2–1 victory in Dublin secured a Euro 2012 play-off place. More recently, the sides clashed in the 2022 Nations League, where Armenia shocked the Irish with a 1–0 win in Yerevan before Ireland responded with a 3–2 success in Dublin.
Overall, these encounters have been competitive and often close, averaging around 2.5 goals per game. Ireland’s superior record makes them favourites, but Armenia’s ability to spring a surprise on home soil is a cautionary tale the visitors cannot ignore.
| Date | Score | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| 27/09/22 | Republic of Ireland 3-2 Armenia | UEFA Nations League |
| 04/06/22 | Armenia 1-0 Republic of Ireland | UEFA Nations League |
| 11/10/11 | Republic of Ireland 2-1 Armenia | UEFA European Championship qualifying |
| 03/09/10 | Armenia 0-1 Republic of Ireland | UEFA European Championship qualifying |