Tournament: UEFA Nations League A
Venue: Estadio da Luz (Lisbon)
Date & Kick-off Time: September 5, 2024, 14:45
Portugal and Croatia face off in the first round of the UEFA Nations League. As two of the strongest teams in their group, both nations will be eager to start their campaign with a positive result.
Key Statistics and Trends
- Has failed to score or win in their last three matches.
- Wins the first half in 56% of their matches.
- Did not secure a single win during their Euro 2024 campaign.
- Wins the first half in 46% of their matches.
Team Analysis
Portugal: Portugal enters this match under the guidance of Roberto Martínez, who replaced Fernando Santos after a disappointing World Cup exit. Despite struggles in recent friendlies, Martínez has secured a flawless record in the qualifiers. The team, led by veterans like Cristiano Ronaldo and a new generation of talent, is looking to reassert itself on the international stage.
Croatia: Croatia, under Zlatko Dalić, has enjoyed considerable success in recent years, including a World Cup final and a Nations League final appearance. However, their Euro 2024 campaign was underwhelming, exiting the tournament without a win. The squad remains strong, with key players like Luka Modrić still in the lineup, but injuries to important players like Juranović and Vlašić could pose challenges.
Team News
Portugal:
- Roberto Martínez is expected to field a strong lineup featuring a mix of experienced players and emerging talent.
Croatia:
- Several key players are out due to injury, including Juranović, Vlašić, and Stanišić, but Luka Modrić continues to lead the team.
Possible Starting Lineups
Portugal (probable lineup):
- Diogo Costa – Mendes, António Silva, Rúben Dias, João Cancelo – Palhinha, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Rafael Leão – Ronaldo
Croatia (probable lineup):
- Livaković – Gvardiol, Pongračić, Šutalo, Stanišić – Kovačić, Majer, Modrić – Pašalić, Kramarić, Sučić
Previous Head-to-Head Matches: Portugal vs Croatia
Portugal has historically dominated Croatia, winning five out of seven encounters. However, Croatia did secure a rare victory over Portugal in a match just before Euro 2024.
Free Prediction for the Match: Portugal vs Croatia
While Portugal is the favorite to win, Croatia's resilience, even when under pressure, cannot be overlooked. Given Croatia’s ability to challenge top teams and Portugal’s recent struggles, a bet on Croatia with a "+1 goal" handicap (odds: 1.83) offers a balanced risk-reward proposition.
Prediction: Croatia to cover the +1 goal handicap (odds: 1.83).
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