Prediction: Portugal to win 2-0
Best Odds: 11/2
Portugal and Denmark will lock horns with each other in the second leg of their UEFA Nations League quarter-final tie this weekend. The match between Roberto Martinez’s side and Brian Riemer’s team will be held at Estadio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica and is scheduled to kick off at 7:45pm UK time on Sunday.
Portugal
Portugal are one of the biggest footballing nations in the world and are a European superpower. They have some of the best players in the world, such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes, and the fans will expect the team to go all the way in the UEFA Nations League.
Roberto Martinez’s side, though, will have to overhaul a one-goal deficit from the first leg of their quarter-final tie against Denmark. Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund came off the bench to score the only goal of the match at Parken in front of 36,322 spectators.
Ahead of the second leg in Portugal on Sunday, Ronaldo said: “The air is more tense. I’m not hiding it. We’re in a tense moment because we need to win, but that’s the beautiful thing about football.
“Tomorrow, I’m calling on the fans to be with us. Let them give us their strength, because we’re going to try to do our best.
“I’ve lost games in 90 minutes, but I’ve never lost in the first leg. There are games like that, there are bad days. I didn’t play at all the other day, the team didn’t play at all, but it’s part of life.
“Tomorrow I want to leave the Alvalade Stadium with my head held high. If I score, I’ll be happy, but if I don’t score, let someone else score, what I want is for Portugal to win.”
The Al-Nassr striker added: “There’s always attitude in the national team. Technical aspects, of course, but other things were lacking too. That’s football, you can’t always play well.
“The atmosphere wasn’t favourable either. I’ve played 50 000 bad games, and so has the team. Our players, who are used to playing on big stages, have also played bad games. That’s part of it.
“There’s no need to be nervous. The past is the past. I know there are a lot of people who want us to lose, but if the few who are there are united and have good energy, I’m sure we’ll get a great result tomorrow.”
Team News:
Portugal are likely to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation against Denmark. Diogo Costa will be in goal for the home team. Dalot, Dias, Veiga and Mendes will be the four defenders. Vitinha and Neves will be the two holding midfielders. Neto, Fernandes and Leao will be the three playmakers. Ronaldo will lead the line for Portugal.
Denmark
Denmark are a strong team and have achieved decent success in major international competitions in recent years. Although they are not expected to win the UEFA Nations League, the World Cup or the European Championship, they do tend to progress to the latter stages.
Brian Riemer’s side beat Portugal 1-0 in the first leg of the quarter-final on Thursday evening. It was a very important win, but Denmark will have to play much better and be at the top of their game against Portugal in the second leg.
Ahead of the second leg on Sunday, Denmark head coach Brian Riemer said that he would back Christian Eriksen to take a penalty again even though he failed to score from one against Portugal.
Riemer said: “I think I will choose Eriksen again next time. Of course, everything depends on who is on the field, but he is our most experienced player.
“Of course, we have a priority order for who will take the penalty kick. But it’s a lot about gut feeling as a player. Whether they have the mentality to take the kick on the day if they are asked.
“We can give some good advice to those who are going to kick. It’s about having decided before you go to the ball and not running down to the spot before you are going to kick so that your pulse gets up.”
Team News:
Denmark are likely to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Schmeichel will be in goal for Denmark. Kristensen, Andersen, Vestergaard and Maehle will be the four defenders. Hjulmand and Norgaard will be deployed in holding midfield. Isaksen, Eriksen and Lindstrom will be the three attacking midfielders. Hojlund will lead the line for Denmark.
Key Factors to Consider
- Portugal have won 3 of their last 6 UEFA Nations League matches.
- Portugal have lost 1 of their last 6 UEFA Nations League matches.
- Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 5 goals and given 1 assist in 6 UEFA Nations League games for Portugal.
- Denmark have won 2 of their last 6 UEFA Nations League games.
- Denmark have lost 2 of their last 6 UEFA Nations League games.
Conclusion
Portugal will be disappointed that they failed to win the first leg against Denmark, but they have a better team and are at home for the second leg. That will certainly give them an advantage, and it is very likely that they will win in front of their fans and book their place in the semi-finals of the UEFA Nations League.
Prediction: Portugal to win 2-0
Best Odds: 11/2
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