Portugal v Croatia

Portugal vs Croatia Preview

Portugal and Croatia will meet at the Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica on Thursday night with both nations keen to improve upon their recent showings in the Euro 2024 finals as Portugal were bundled out of the competition at the quarter-final stage, while Croatia failed to make it out of the group stage as they finished in third place in Group B two points behind the runners-up, Italy.

Portugal had previously posted wins against Czech Republic 2-1 and a resounding 3-0 win over Turkey in the group stage but although they slipped to a shock 2-0 defeat at the hands of Georgia, nevertheless the Selecao finished top of Group F and proceeded to the knockout rounds.

A win on penalties against Slovenia sent Portugal through to the quarter-finals but another penalty shoot-out with France in the last eight resulted in defeat for Roberto Martinez's side and saw Portugal out of the tournament.

The bigger picture still shows Portugal as a serious threat though on the European stage as the hosts have suffered just four losses in their last 20 matches in all competitions, collecting 16 wins in the process although they did lose 2-1 at home to Croatia in an international friendly back in early June this year.

Croatia fared even worse than their hosts in the recent Euro 2024 finals as they failed to emerge from Group B containing the likes of Spain, Italy and Albania and also failing to win any of their three group games as well.

Points picked up in draws with Albania and Italy followed an opening 3-0 loss at the hands of Spain which immediately shifted Croatia onto the back foot and they never recovered from there.

Croatia had previously put together an impressive six-match winning streak in all competitions prior to the Euro finals which produced morale-boosting wins against Latvia, Armenia, Tunisia, Egypt, North Macedonia and Thursday night's upcoming hosts, Portugal so Croatia will be keen to rekindle that sort of form in this upcoming Nations League campaign as they look to go one step better this time following a loss in the final to Spain on penalties.

The likes of veterans such as Luca Modric and Ivan Perisic are expected to feature once again but they will need all of their experience and know-how in order to avoid being over-run by a star studded Portuguese outfit here on Thursday night in Lisbon.

Portugal v Croatia Verdict

Portugal have won 12 of their last 13 home games in all competitions and the hosts have lost just once in their previous eight meetings against Croatia so Roberto Martinez's side look to hold the upper hand here.

Therefore, our main bet will be Portugal win @ 1.63

Other side bets worth considering:

Portugal win & Over 2.5 goals @ 2.50

Correct Score: Portugal 2-1 @ 8.50