Preview: Republic of Ireland vs. Azerbaijan - prediction, team news, lineups

Following their cruel loss at the hands of Portugal, Republic of Ireland are still seeking their World Cup qualifying victory heading into Saturday's visit of Azerbaijan.

The Boys in Green are fourth in Group A after three matches and are only kept off bottom spot by next opponents Azerbaijan, who are also without a point thus far.

Match preview

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Thanks to some goalkeeping heroics from teenager Gavin Bazunu, Ireland were on course for a famous victory against Portugal through John Egan's header in first-half stoppage time.

Step forward Cristiano Ronaldo. The Manchester United forward headed in two goals in the 89th and 96th minutes to break Irish hearts and break the men's international goals record.

That loss leaves Stephen Kenny's men in desperate need of victory against Azerbaijan, having also suffered qualifying defeats to Serbia and Luxembourg this campaign.

Losing at home to minnows Luxembourg last time out on home soil will go down as one of Ireland's worst ever results, and they are without a win at home in five matches.

Indeed, Kenny's side have failed to even score in the last four of those matches, so the pressure is now well and truly on to get things right on Saturday.

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Azerbaijan are also running out of time to kickstart their campaign after suffering a 2-1 loss at Luxembourg on Wednesday.

Mica Pinto and Gerson Rodrigues gave Luxembourg a two-goal lead inside half an hour and, while Emin Mahmudov did pull one back, it was not enough for Gianni De Biasi's men.

The world's 112th-ranked nation have now lost to Portugal, Serbia and Luxembourg in qualifying, while taking all competitions into account it is one win in their last 12 games.

Azerbaijan have won just one of their last 26 qualifying away games, meanwhile, losing each of the last nine, so this is the perfect chance for Ireland to get off the mark.

Team News

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Ireland may be forced into a couple of changes on Saturday, with Dara O'Shea considered a major doubt after leaving the field injured in the Algarve.

Norwich City defender Andrew Omobamidele was brought on for his international debut and could make his first start in Ireland's first ever meeting with Azerbaijan.

With this the second of three qualifiers in a week, Kenny may look to rotate his side slightly, potentially meaning recalls for James McClean and Conor Hourihane in midfield.

As for the visitors, a clearly unhappy Di Biasi made a triple substitution at half time with his side two goals down to Luxembourg on Wednesday.

Mahir Emreli, Anton Krivotsyuk and Namiq Alasgarov were the players introduced and may therefore be considered for starts in Dublin.

Captain Mahmudov looks certain to start in midfield once again, having scored his nation's only two goals in this qualifying campaign from just three shots in total.

Ali Ghorbani is on a long scoreless run and could make way from the side should Azerbaijan alter formation from the 5-3-2 used last time out.

Republic of Ireland possible starting lineup:
Bazunu; Omobamidele, Duffy, Egan; Coleman, Hendrick, Cullen, Doherty; Molumby, Connolly; Idah

Azerbaijan possible starting lineup:
Mahammadaliyev; Huseynov, Haghverdi, Medvedev, Salahli, Bayramov; Ibrahim, Nuriev, Emreli, Mahmudov; Ozobic

We say: Republic of Ireland 1-0 Azerbaijan

Ireland are on their worst ever run of competitive games without a victory and will be desperate to bring an end to that unwanted record at the 15th attempt.

The Boys in Green came within minutes of beating Portugal last time out, though, and we can see them finally getting points on the board against fellow out-of-form side Azerbaijan.