Portugal is set to host Croatia in the first game of Nations League 2024/25 on Thursday, 5 September. Both Selecao and the Blazers enter Estadio de Luz after a disappointing campaign in Euro 2024. We take a closer look to discover the favorable betting tips for this match.
Portugal to win 1.64 (16/25)
Portugal have a promising record against Croatia by winning all four competitive H2H meetings. Selecao also faced the Blazers in Nations League 2020/21 and secured 2-3 and 4-1 victories. In the recent Euro this year, Portugal secured three victories in five matches, getting knocked out by France on penalties. On the other hand, Croatia could not find a single triumph in the same competition, ending their campaign in the group stage with two draws and a defeat. Therefore, we predict Portugal to put three points into their bag at the end of this game.
Over 2.5 Goals 1.98 (16/25)
The last three H2H meetings between Portugal and Croatia in Nations League and Friendlies have concluded with Over 2.5 Goals. Portugal’s attacking line has struggled in the late matches of Euro with zero goals in the 90 minutes of the last three games. However, Selecao have netted the ball eight times in the previous three H2Hs against Craotia, including four goals in a home victory in Nations League. On the other hand, the Blazers have conceded an average of two goals per game in the recent three matches, scoring three as well. Based on the given stats, we expect to see a high-scoring total in this fixture.
Both teams to score: Yes 1.98 (49/50)
Despite the recent inconsistency of scoring, Portugal will be confident against Croatia as they have scored in all eight H2Hs against their upcoming rivals. The last four consecutive H2Hs between these two teams have also finished with BTTS outcomes. In the recent three games in Euro, the Blazers managed to get on the scoresheet in two matches while keeping zero clean sheets. Therefore, there are high chances to see both teams scoring in this match.
Team News
Portugal
After a goalless draw against France, Portugal ended their campaign in Euro on penalties with Joao Felix missing the target. Selecao’s senior centre-back Pepe has called time on his career but Cristiano Ronaldo will continue his career, adding to his 212 international caps. Manager Roberto Martinez has zero players on the injury list ahead of the game against Croatia.
Croatia
Conceding the goal in the eighth minute of stoppage time against Italy, Croatia were knocked out of Euro 2024 in the group stage. The only two points also sent the Blazers to the last position in the table of the third-placed teams. Attacking midfielder Lovro Majer is the only fitness concern for the team boss Zlatko Dalic to decide the playing side against Portugal.
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