LiontipsCroatia vs Portugal. Prediction (odds 2.75) and bets on the Nations League match
Command Analysis
Current form
Croatia has scored a rather modest seven points in five rounds. However, even this result is enough to finish in second place, since if Poland equalizes in points, then the Croatians will be higher due to their personal meetings.
At the start, https://hns.family target=_blank rel=noopener>the "checkers" played away against their opponent today, the Portuguese national team, and suffered a 1:2 defeat. Then, in difficult home battles, they managed to snatch victories against Poland (1:0) and Scotland (2:1). In many ways, those successes were achieved through experience; there was no tangible advantage in the game. Then the Croatians played against the same opponents away and were unable to win - they drew with the Poles (3:3), and lost to the Scots 0:1, and in that match, from the 44th minute, they played with ten men.
The defensive play raises many questions. Only with Poland in the first round did they manage to play to zero. With the same opponent in the second round they were leading 3:1, but allowed to come back, and there was also a removal in the second half. It is obvious that the change of generations is difficult for the "checkers".
Disqualifications and injuries
Due to disqualification, Petar Sučić and Luka Modrić will not help their team today. Erlić is injured.
Interesting trends for betting
- Croatia have drawn in the first half in three of their last four matches
- The "checkers" have not lost in 10 of their previous 12 matches in the Nations League
- Croatia have not lost in their last four Nations League matches at home
- Croatia have not lost in shots on target in their last four matches
Tentative line-up: Livakovic - Jakic, Shutalo, Chaleta-Tsar, Guardiol - Moro, Kovacic - L. Suchic, Pasalic, Baturina - Kramaric.
Current form
Without any surprises or unexpected events, Portugal confirmed its status as the main favorite in the group. With 13 points scored, the team approaches the final round in first place and is six points ahead of the Croatians. Roberto Martinez charges have scored 12 goals. Only Italy and Germany can boast such solid performance indicators in League A.
The Portuguese allowed themselves their only misfire in the away match against Scotland, when they were unable to open up the opponent defense (0:0). In the previous round, they secured a crushing 5:1 victory over Poland on their home field. It should be noted that in that match, the score was 0:0 until the 59th minute. Cristiano Ronaldo reminded us of himself again, scoring two goals and making an assist.
The Portuguese national team now has a great mix of experience and youth in its squad. Cristiano Ronaldo has been criticized before, but in the Nations League he has been playing well and is very useful to the team. It should be noted that defenders joining the attack pose a constant threat to opponents. Plus, Roberto Martinez has excellent opportunities to rotate the squad, which he constantly uses.
Disqualifications and injuries
João Neves and Bruno Fernandes will not play due to an accumulation of yellow cards, while Palinha will not be able to help his team due to injury.
Interesting trends for betting
- Four of Portugal last five Nations League matches have seen at least three goals scored
- The team has not lost in nine of their previous ten away matches in the Nations League (five wins and four draws)
- Portugal players have been caught offside more often than their opponents in three of their last four matches
Probable lineup: Costa - Dalot, Veiga, A. Silva, Mendes - B. Silva, Vitinha - Neto, Joao Felix, Leao - Ronaldo
Trends
Bet 1st half: total under 1.5 goals
The bet has won in three of the last four head-to-head matches
1.46Bet Exact score 1:2
Croatia last two defeats were by one goal
9.20Bet Goals in both halves – yes
In the four previous head-to-head meetings, goals were scored in each half.
1.74Bet Total corners over 9.5
At least 10 corners have been awarded in Portugal last six Nations League matches
1.91Portugal will not lose on fouls
Portugal have not lost due to fouls in three of their last four matches
1.85Tip and bets
Croatia is having a weak tournament this year, there is a generational change in the team, which has a negative impact on the game. Nevertheless, the "checkers" have secured second place in the group. Portugal won four out of five matches in the League of Nations, only they were unable to break through Scotland defense even once, in general, the team has huge potential, and you can see a decent rotation, which does not negatively affect the game. In our opinion, at the moment the Portuguese are superior to the "checkers" in all respects, which could be seen in their face-to-face match in the first round.
Our prediction is Portugal victory with an Asian handicap (0) at odds of 1.72
Bet on total
The game has no tournament significance, one can expect open and bold football with an emphasis on attack. Moreover, both teams have decent attacking potential, and the Portuguese have scored 12 goals in five matches in the group.
The second bet is total over 2.5 goals with odds of 1.94
Bet on the exact difference in the score
In the last two head-to-head victories, Portugal won by one goal. It is highly likely that today victory will not be a crushing one.
Prediction: Portugal win by one or two goals with odds of 2.75
