Portugal vs Croatia Preview, Prediction, Odds, Betting Tips 05.09.2024

Date and Time: Thursday, September 5, 19:45 GMT+1
Venue: Estádio da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal

Portugal vs Croatia Preview

Portugal

Portugal will kick off their campaign in the fourth edition of the Nations League alongside Croatia, Poland and Scotland. Roberto Martinez’s men are looking to bounce back after their Euro 2024 journey ended in disappointment, with a quarterfinal exit at the hands of France.

Perhaps the most heart-wrenching moment came in the match against Slovenia, where the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo missed a crucial penalty in extra time. CR7 was seen in tears, and fans speculated whether it was time for him to retire from international football.

However, Ronaldo will once again don the Portugal jersey and try to increase his already remarkable goalscoring record. Additionally, we will likely see João Neves feature for the hosts, as he has been in sensational form for PSG so far this season.

Croatia

Luka Modrić is gradually approaching the twilight of his illustrious career, and the Nations League could very well be his swan song. A last-minute draw against Italy at Euro 2024 prevented Croatia from advancing to the round of 16, marking a disappointing end to their campaign.

The former World Cup finalists have struggled to find suitable replacements for their golden generation. Most key players are now over 30, and the younger talents have failed to make an impact.

While considered underdogs in the group, Zlatko Dalić’s men always play with determination and heart. Igor Matanović and Petar Sučić have been called up for the first time, while Luka Modric is set to make his 179th appearance for the national team.

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Portugal vs Croatia Prediction

Pick: Portugal Over 1.5 Goals
Odds: 1.72 (22Bet)
Score prediction: Portugal 2-1 Croatia

Croatia had a disappointing Euro 2024 campaign, failing to secure a win in any of their three group stage matches. The team has not changed much since then, and it’s unlikely that the visitors will be able to take even a point from this encounter.

Portugal, on the other hand, managed to advance to the quarterfinals and proved themselves to be a much stronger side compared to Croatia. In addition, the Portuguese have a huge advantage in H2H matchups – six wins in eight games.

In two of their last three meetings, Portugal scored at least three goals against Croatia. We assume that Roberto Martinez’s side will demonstrate the same productivity and find the net at least twice against Croatia in this match.

Portugal vs Croatia Prediction, Betting Tip

Pick: Both Teams to Score
Odds: 1.97 (22Bet)

The rivalry between these two teams has been intriguing. The last H2H match took place quite recently, in June 2024, when Croatia won 2-1. Interestingly, both sides managed to score against each other in each of their last four encounters.

Portugal are definitely the clear favourites for the upcoming match. However, Croatia have proven that it has a resilient squad, especially in what could be Luka Modrić’s final years with the national team. The visitors are expected to play with high spirit and determination.

Portugal, with their own golden generation, will be eager to attack from the first whistle. We anticipate an entertaining clash with plenty of goals. Therefore, our free football prediction suggests that betting on both teams to score is a solid option for this fixture.

Disclaimer: The content provided on this page, including all football predictions, odds, and related information, is for entertainment and informational purposes only. While we strive to ensure accuracy and timeliness, we do not guarantee the correctness or reliability of any predictions, data, or information presented here.

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