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Verdict: Portugal to score in both halves
Best Odds: 21/20
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Knowing they could officially book their Nations League semi-final spot on Friday night, Portugal will welcome Poland to the Estadio do Dragao.
Portugal
Starting with the hosts, although Portugal might have suffered EURO 24 heartbreak over the summer as they came crashing out at the quarter-final stage, Roberto Martinez’s men haven’t shown any signs of a hangover. While the Navigators might have been forced to settle for a 0-0 stalemate away at Scotland last month, the former Belgium boss finds his squad sat firmly in the driving seat to punch a semi-final spot. Getting their Nations League adventure underway on September 5th with a 2-1 victory against Croatia, Friday’s hosts have collected 10 points from their first four League A appearances. Likewise, storming their way to a 3-1 romp when they travelled over to Warsaw last month, Portugal will be looking for a repeat performance this weekend.
Team News
Reportedly picking up a knock last week, Manchester City star Matheus Nunes has withdrawn from Portugal’s squad and will not feature over the next fortnight. While five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo might be set to turn 40 in just a few months time, the ex-Real Madrid icon will lead out Martinez’s squad on Friday night.
Enjoying what has become a real career resurge after completing a summer move to Italian outfit Lazio, Arsenal loanee Nuno Tavares could start at left-back. Recording four goals in as many appearances for Premier League giants Manchester United, Bruno Fernandes will start in the middle of the park.
Poland
As for the visitors, although Poland might have got their Nations League adventure underway on September 5th with an action-packed 3-2 victory away at Scotland, it appears that might have just been a minor boost for Michal Probierz’s men. Enduring a real EURO 24 struggle over the summer as they collected just a single point from any of their three group stage appearances, the Eagles have a battle on their hands in the race to keep hold of their League A status. Falling to a 3-1 drumming when they welcomed Portugal to Warsaw last month, Poland also hold a downbeat record against Friday’s hosts. Winless in each of their previous six showdowns across all competitions, Probierz’s struggling squad should be bracing themselves for what will certainly be another heavyweight challenge this weekend.
Team News
In what is a huge blow for Poland this week, the Eagles will be without the record-breaking Robert Lewandowski after the Barcelona superstar suffered a back injury. Recording a pair of goals in his first four Nations League appearances this year, Inter Milan ace Piotr Zielinski will play a leading role here.
While Arsenal defender Jakub Kiwior might not have made a single Premier League start so far this season, the 24-year-old will start at the back on Friday night. Brighton midfielder Jakub Moder has been included in Probierz squad.
Key Factors to Consider
- When Portugal and Poland met for their reverse Nations League showdown on October 12th, the Navigators collected a 3-1 victory in Warsaw.
- In fact, Portugal are unbeaten in all of their previous six meetings against Friday’s guests.
- Martinez’s men have collected 10 points from their four Nations League appearances this year.
- Continuing on from their downbeat EURO 24 campaign over the summer, Poland have won just one of their last seven appearances.
- Poland have collected just a pair of competitive clean sheets across any formats over the past 13 months.
Conclusion
Knowing that they can officially wrap up a semi-final spot on Friday night, Portugal should be smelling a golden opportunity here. Putting 10 points on the board from their four Nations League appearances so far this season, Martinez’s men will also be excited by their most recent showdown against a struggling Poland. Storming their way to a 3-1 victory when they travelled to Warsaw last month, the former European champions will once again be smelling another golden opportunity this weekend. Likewise, suffering just a single defeat on home soil since way back in September 2022, the Navigators are rightfully pencilled in as a standout contender.
Verdict: Portugal to score in both halves
Best Odds: 21/20
Bookmaker: Dachbet