Prediction: Portugal vs Bosnia and Herzegovina

Prediction: Portugal to win 5-0

Best Odds: 14/1

Bookmaker: Zetbet

Portugal and Bosnia and Herzegovina will lock horns with each other in UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Group J this weekend. The match between Roberto Martinez’s side and Faruk Hadžibegić’s team will be held at Estádio da Luz in Lisbon and is scheduled to kick off at 7:45pm UK on Saturday.

Portugal

Portugal are one of the biggest footballing nations who are regularly among the favourites to win major competitions. In Cristiano Ronaldo, the European country have one of the greatest footballers of all time. The former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward is still going strong and is not showing any signs of slowing down despite playing for Al Nassr FC in Saudi Arabia.

Roberto Martinez’s side will be confident of qualifying for the UEFA Euro 2024 finals with ease. After all, Portugal have an easy group. The Euro 2016 winners have been drawn against Slovakia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Luxembourg and Liechtenstein in UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Group J.

Portugal are at the top of Group J at the moment with six points from two matches, two points clear of second-placed Slovakia. Martinez’s team kicked off their qualifying campaign with a 4-0 hammering of Liechtenstein. Ronaldo scored two goals for the home team. Then just three days later, Portugal hammered Liechtenstein 6-0, Ronaldo scoring a brace once again.

Team News:

Cristiano Ronaldo may be 38 now, but he remains a key figure for Portugal and will lead the line for the home team. Goncalo Ramos, Rafael Leao and Diogo Jota are likely to start on the bench, while Joao Felix and Bernardo Silva should start alongside Ronaldo in attack. Joao Palhinho should start for Portugal in central midfield.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina are a relatively modest team in European football and do not have huge expectations on them. Qualifying for a major international competition is a success in itself for the nation, but over the years they have produced some wonderful players, such as Edin Dzeko, Asmir Begovic and Rade Krunic.

Faruk Hadžibegić’s side will fancy their chances of making a major impact in UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Group J. While Portugal are the clear favourites, the runners-up spot is up for grabs. Bosnia and Herzegovina will certainly feel that they will be able to finish ahead of Slovakia, Iceland, Luxembourg and  Liechtenstein in the group.

Bosnia and Herzegovina are third in UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Group J at the moment with three points from two matches. Bosnia kicked off their qualifying campaign with a 3-0 victory over Iceland at Stadion Bilino polje in Zenica, but just three days later, they went down 2-0 to Slovakia away from home.

Team News:

Former Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko remains a key player for Bosnia and Herzegovina and will continue to lead the line for the visiting team. Anel Ahmedhodzic of Sheffield Wednesday should start as well for Bosnia, and so should Miralem Pjanic of Sharjah FC.

Key Factors to Consider

• Portugal have won 4 of their last 6 competitive matches.
• Portugal have lost 2 of their last 6 competitive matches.
• Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 122 goals in 198 appearances for Portugal.
• Bosnia and Herzegovina have lost 2 of their last three competitive games.
• Bosnia and Herzegovina have won 3 and drawn 1 of their last 6 competitive matches.

Conclusion

Portugal are a much better side than Bosnia and Herzegovina and are also at home for this fixture. Cristiano Ronaldo is still banging in the goals for fun and remains as ambitious as ever. It is very unlikely that Bosnia will even score against Portugal, let alone pick up a point or win. This game should end in an easy win for Portugal, with Ronaldo bagging a hat-trick.

Prediction: Portugal to win 5-0

Best Odds: 14/1

Bookmaker: Zetbet