Our prediction for this Nations League match:
Armenia
Match Time & Date:
04/06/2022
15:00
Prediction: 0-1
Ireland
Republic of Ireland will look to kick off their UEFA Nations League campaign in style when they face Armenia in Yerevan on Saturday. The Boys in Green are seen as favourites to win Group 1 opener, but they will have to prove their worth on the field. Michael Obafemi is back to the squad, while both CJ Hamilton and Festy Ebosele have received their first call-ups. Keep in mind that all Matt Doherty, Adam Idah, and Andrew Omobamidele are out of contention with injuries.
The Armenians, on the other hand, were producing fine displays in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, but following three consecutive defeats in Group J they eventually missed out on a spot at the showpiece tournament in Qatar. Since the hosts will be without Roma ace Henrikh Mkhitaryan in Saturday’s clash, we are tempted to put our money on Stephen Kenny’s men.
Highlighted Player (Yura Movsisyan):
Yura Movsisyan is a Real Salt Lake City footballer who plays for Armenian national team as well. Movsisyan was born in Baku, Azerbaijan, but his family moved to the United States while he was a boy and, as a result, he started his youth career at Pasadena Lancers. Following a one year of college soccer, Kansas City Wizards chiefs offered him a professional contract.
The Armenian attacker scored five goals in 28 league appearances for the Wizards and in 2007 he signed for Real Salt Lake City. After spending two seasons at the MLS club, Movsisyan moved to Europe, signing a deal with Danish side Randers. Speaking of his stay in Russia, the Armenia international played for the likes of Krasnodar and Spartak Moscow and he scored no less than 48 goals in the Russian top flight.
In 2017 he returned to Salt Lake City and he is expected to play an important role in Jeff Cassar’s team in the 2017 MLS campaign. Movsisyan made his Armenia debut on August 11, 2010 in a friendly against Iran.
Highlighted Team (Ireland):
Competing as an independent entity since 1953, Republic of Ireland have struggled to match the world’s best national teams ever since, although they did achieve several respectable results on the road. Their best ever result, the 1990 World Cup quarter-final, was achieved with a big smile from Lady Luck seeing that the Irish reached the last eight without winning a single match.
They have since reached the last 16 stage at the 1994 and 2002 tournaments, while only qualifying for three European Championship finals (1988, 2012, 2016). The Irish were in the top 10 of the FIFA Rankings in 1993 and 1994, but have failed to repeat the success in the next twenty odd years, and it appears they are no closer to bridging the gap behind European powerhouses.
Robbie Keane holds the record for most national team caps and goals at the same time, having bagged 67 in 143 appearances, whereas Niall Quinn, Steve Staunton, Damien Duff, Tony Cascarino and Don Givens are some of the other star players.
Man City 
Everton
Bournemouth
Crystal Palace 
Chelsea 
Fulham
Newcastle 
Aston Villa 
Nottingham Forest 
Tottenham
Southampton 
West Ham 
