The Boys in Green edged past Luxembourg in their last outing while Armenia suffered a 9-0 thrashing against Norway in March.
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Armenia and Republic of Ireland will begin their UEFA Nations League campaign when they face each other at the Republican Stadium in Group B1 fixture on Saturday. With Ukraine and Scotland also present in the group, both nations will be aiming to make a quick start in a bid to earn promotion to the top tier. The Boys in Green are not going to the Qatar World Cup later this year, news that was confirmed back in November, and therefore would be aiming to put their energy into the set of upcoming fixtures in June. Meanwhile Armenia are competing at this level for the first time after earning promotion during the first two Nations League campaigns.
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? Take a closer look at @CJHamilton22, @Festy41835686 & @michaelobafemi_ as The Boys in Green touched down for their first training session in Yerevan, Armenia.#COYBIG | #WeAreOne pic.twitter.com/QmrfYa8gc7
— FAIreland ⚽️?? (@FAIreland) June 2, 2022
Last time out, the Mountaineers topped a group which included Euro 2020 qualifiers North Macedonia, a return of 11 points from six games being enough to move into the second tier. However, the highs from that achievement have now been lost completely. Joaquin Caparros side failed to register consecutive wins since March 2021. They were thrashed 9-0 by Norway in a friendly fixture on March 29. That followed a 1-0 win over Montenegro on March 24, which saw their nine-game winless run come to an end.Â
As for the Republic of Ireland, they are going through a transition period. Stephen Kenny’s side have lost just once in 12 games, that solitary defeat coming in the final seconds against Portugal on away territory. Meanwhile in their last outing against Lithuania, Troy Parrot’s injury-time goal was enough to earn a victory for the Boys in Green. Kenny’s side have also won their last two games on the road, claiming 3-0 wins against Azerbaijan and Luxembourg respectively. Meanwhile the Boys in Green have an advantage over their Saturday’s opponents having won two of their last three meetings so far.Â
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Armenia boss Caparros has called up 29 players for the upcoming Nations League fixtures, including Cadiz defender Varazdat Haroyan, and Club Brugge forward Sargis Adamyan. The Mountaineers are likely to make some changes to the side that was thrashed against Norway. Sargis Adamyan could replace Erik Vardanyan while Hrayr Mkoyan is likely to return in the heart of the defence.Â
As for the Republic of Ireland, Matt Dohery is the only notable absentee because of injury. Therefore Seamus Coleman could be deployed at the right-wing-back position. Therefore Nathan Collins could return to the central defence. Meanwhile goalkeeper Gabvin Bazunu is back in the squad.Â
Armenia probable starting lineup: Yurchenko, Ararat, Haroyan, Mkoyan, Hovhannisyan, Barseghyan, Spertsyan, Udo, Bayramyan, Bichakhchyan, Adamyan,Â
Republic of Ireland probable starting lineup: Kelleher, Collins, Duffy, Egan, Coleman, Cullen, Hendrick, McClean, Ogbene, Robinson, Knight.
The Nations League match between Armenia and Republic of Ireland will take place at the Republican Stadium and it will kick off at 6:30 pm IST on Saturday.
The live streaming of the UEFA Nations League matches will be available on SonyLIV and Jio TV.
