Portugal vs Croatia Predictions

Portugal vs Croatia predictions for this Nations League clash. Portugal and Croatia, favourites for the top two spots in League A Group 1, start their UEFA Nations League campaigns on Thursday. Read on for all our free Premier League predictions and betting tips.

Nations League | League A | Sep 5, 2024 at 7:45pm UK at Estadio Universitario de Lisboa

Portugal vs Croatia Predictions

Can Portugal’s Firepower Overcome Croatia’s Resilience?

• Portugal average 9.4 corners per game, showcasing their attacking intent.
• Croatia have scored in four of their last five matches, highlighting their offensive capabilities despite defensive struggles.
• Portugal’s recent home form is strong, with three wins in their last five matches, making them favourites at Estadio da Luz.

Best Bet

As Portugal and Croatia prepare to kick off their UEFA Nations League campaigns, both teams are eager to start with a victory in what promises to be an exciting encounter at Estadio da Luz. These two sides, expected to be the frontrunners in League A Group 1, have a history of closely contested matches, and Thursday’s fixture is set to be no different. Both teams come into this game with something to prove, having experienced disappointment at Euro 2024, and will be looking to make a statement as they aim to progress deep into this competition.

One of the standout predictions for this clash is backing Portugal to secure a victory while both teams find the back of the net. This combination bet appears to offer great value, considering the circumstances and the recent form of both teams.

Portugal’s attacking prowess is well-documented, and under the guidance of Roberto Martinez, the Selecao have the firepower to trouble any defence. With Cristiano Ronaldo still leading the line, supported by the creative brilliance of Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva, Portugal are expected to create numerous scoring opportunities. Their recent form, which includes three wins in their last five matches, suggests that they have the momentum to outgun their Croatian counterparts, particularly at home where they are traditionally strong.

On the other hand, Croatia, despite their ageing squad and defensive absences, cannot be underestimated in front of goal. Luka Modric, who continues to defy age with his performances, will be crucial in orchestrating Croatia’s attacks. The Croatians have also shown a consistent ability to score, even when their overall form has been inconsistent. They have found the net in four of their last five matches, indicating that their attacking unit, led by Andrej Kramaric, is more than capable of breaching a Portuguese defence that has shown vulnerabilities.

Given Portugal’s ability to score and Croatia’s resilience in attack, this match is likely to see goals at both ends. However, the depth and quality in Portugal’s squad, particularly in their attacking options, should give them the edge. The hosts’ superior firepower and the advantage of playing at Estadio da Luz are likely to be the deciding factors in a closely contested game.

“Portugal have the attacking depth and home advantage to secure a win, but Croatia’s proven goal-scoring ability makes both teams to score a strong possibility.” – BettingTips4You.com expert Gerard Gabasa.

Additional Prediction

For the second prediction, a bet on over 9.5 corners in the match is highly plausible given the attacking styles of both teams and their recent statistics.

Portugal, known for their wide play and creativity, average 9.4 corners per game, highlighting their tendency to push forward and create numerous opportunities from the flanks. With players like Rafael Leao and Bernardo Silva, who love to take on defenders and deliver crosses, it’s no surprise that Portugal regularly rack up high corner counts. Additionally, with Ronaldo as the focal point in the box, Portugal often look to capitalise on set-piece situations, further boosting the likelihood of corners.

Croatia, although more conservative in their approach, still manage to earn corners through their controlled build-up play. Their average of 1.7 corners per game might seem modest, but against a strong Portuguese side, they will likely need to rely on set pieces to create scoring chances, especially given their defensive absences. With Modric pulling the strings, expect Croatia to earn corners from quick transitions and shots from outside the box.

The combination of Portugal’s attacking thrust and Croatia’s need to exploit set pieces makes a high corner count a reasonable expectation in this match. Therefore, betting on over 9.5 corners aligns with the anticipated flow of the game.

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