Prediction: Portugal vs Croatia

Verdict: Portugal win

Best Odds: 6/11

Bookmaker: Dachbet

Two camps who will be getting their respective Nations League adventures underway on Thursday night, Portugal will welcome Croatia to Lisbon.

Portugal

Starting with the hosts, embarking on what was a sensational EURO 24 qualifying adventure last year as they won all other 10 Group J appearances by an aggregate score of 36-2, the Navigators opened this summer’s European Championships tipped as a real dark horse contender. However, although Roberto Martinez’s men might have got their European campaign underway with a pair of early victories against the Czech Republic and Turkey, the former Belgium boss would have been disappointed by a flat end to their adventure. Eventually crashing out at the quarter-final stage after suffering major penalties heartbreak at the hands of France, Portugal also failed to find much of a clinical edge in the final third. Signing off their Group F campaign with a shock 2-0 loss against major tournaments debutants Georgia, Martinez’s side failed to find the net in any of their final three EURO 24 appearances.

Team News

While Cristiano Ronaldo might have endured a summer to forget over in Germany as he failed to notch a single EURO 24 strike, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner has been included in Martinez’s squad. Chelsea left-back Renato Veiga and Lille defender Tiago Santos have received first senior call-ups.

Making a permanent move to Premier League giants Chelsea this summer, Joao Felix should earn a 42nd International cap here. While Wolves shot-stopper Joe Sa might have been included in Martinez’s squad for the next fortnight, Porto’s Diogo Costa will start between the sticks.

Croatia

As for the visitors, making even more history out in Qatar during the winter of 2022 as they secured a famous World Cup bronze medal finish, Croatia opened this summer’s European Championships with a real reputation on the major tournament stage. However, although the Blazers might have got their EURO 24 adventure underway in the midst of a real flurry, Zlatko Dalic’s men struggled to find any kind of fluidity over in Germany. Getting their European adventure underway with a thumping 3-0 defeat at the hands of eventual winners Spain on June 15th, Croatia failed to win any of their three Group B appearances. Unable to book a knockout stage ticket, Thursday’s guests are also seeking some much-needed defensive resolve. Facing what should be a stern challenge when they get their Nations League campaign underway in Lisbon, Dalic’s side have recorded just a sole clean sheet from any of their previous six matchups across all competitions.

Team News

While many might have speculated that EURO 24 would be Luka Modric’s final appearance on the international stage, the former Ballon d’Or winner has been included in Serbia’s squad and looks set to earn a 179th cap here. Likewise, fellow veteran and former Tottenham star Ivan Perisic is also expected to feature on Thursday night.

Opening his Bundesliga account against Eintracht Frankfurt last weekend, Hoffenheim striker Andrej Kramaric will lead Croatia’s charge in Lisbon. Becoming a key part of Pep Guardiola’s plans at Manchester City, Josko Gvardiol will start in defence.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Portugal and Croatia last met for a summer friendly back on June 8th, the Blazers picked up a shock 2-1 victory in Lisbon.
• However, the Navigators are unbeaten in each of their other six historic showdowns against Thursday’s guests.
• Portugal failed to find the net in any of their final three EURO 24 appearances over the summer.
• Croatia failed to muster a single victory from any of their three EURO 24 appearances over in Germany.
• All of the previous four meetings between Portugal and Croatia have finished with both teams finding the net.

Conclusion

Hit with a shock 2-1 loss when they welcomed Croatia to Lisbon prior to this summer’s European Championships, Portugal are desperate to claim some immediate revenge here. Although Portugal might have endured a downbeat end to their European adventure over in Germany, Martinez’s side should be relishing a return to home soil on Thursday night.

Verdict: Portugal win

Best Odds: 6/11

Bookmaker: Dachbet