On 5 September 2024, the UEFA Nations League kicks off with an exciting match between two of Europe’s elite teams. Portugal and Croatia.
The match will be held in an iconic venue. loose stadium An exciting match between the 2018-2019 champions and the 2022-23 runners-up takes place in Lisbon.
With both teams looking to start their campaigns on a positive note, fans will be hoping to see whether Portugal can secure a home win or Croatia can cause an upset.
Preview the match
Portugal come into this match after a disappointing performance at the recent European Championships, where they were eliminated in the quarter-finals.
After a promising start with victory Czech Republic and turkeyRoberto Martinez’s side suffered a shock 2-0 defeat. GeorgiaThis weakened their momentum.
Despite my success in overcoming Slovenian They were eventually eliminated on penalties after a goalless draw in the round of 16. france In the quarterfinals.
This inconsistency resulted in a mixed record of 5 wins, 2 draws, and 3 losses in 2024.
Portugal will be looking to build on their performances in the Nations League, showcasing their attacking prowess led by legendary player Cristiano Ronaldo.
Croatia, on the other hand, performed poorly at Euro 2024, failing to qualify after just two points from three group matches.
They were crushed 3-0. Spain In the opening game, the next one ended in a draw. Albania and Italy.
However, Croatia has a rich history in the competition, having reached the World Cup final in 2018 and finished third in 2022.
They also showed their ability to compete at a high level by reaching the Nations League final last year.
One-on-one showdown
Historically, Portugal have the upper hand against Croatia, winning six, drawing one and losing one of their last eight matches.
The last match between the two teams in the Nations League ended in a 3-2 victory for Portugal.
However, Croatia won the friendly 2-1 Euro 2024They ended a seven-game winless streak against Portugal.
This backdrop sets the stage for a fiercely contested match, as both teams are well aware of their opponent’s strengths and weaknesses.
Team News
Portugal will look at: Cristiano Ronaldo, He is aiming for his 131st international goal and is leading the attack.
Also, youth Joao Neves He will be making his 10th international appearance and is hoping to add some youthful energy to the team.
The Portuguese team is a mix of experienced and new players and is ready to make an impression in their opening match.
Croatia, on the other hand, has some seasoned veterans: Luka Modric, Ivan Perisic, and Mateo KovacicThey bring a combined 416 games of experience to the team.
The new players are: petar suchic and Igor Matanovich They will be looking to solidify their position as they prepare for a tough match against Portugal.
prediction
Given the historical performances and current form of both teams, a tight match is expected.
Both teams showed the ability to create chances, but struggled to be consistent in their finishing.
Therefore, we expect both teams to end the match with under 1.5 goals and expect a low scoring draw.
- Score prediction: Portugal 1-1 Croatia
Betting Tips
draw: Considering the close nature of the previous matches, betting on a draw may be a wise choice.
2.5 goals or less: With both teams struggling to convert their scoring chances, a bet on the total number of goals being under 2.5 could yield a positive return.
Both teams score – No: Given the defensive prowess of both teams, it might also be worth considering betting on both teams to score.
Cristiano Ronaldo can score at any time: With Ronaldo looking to increase his scoring prowess on the international stage, betting on him to score a goal during a match could be a profitable option.
