Portugal vs Scotland Match Analysis and Prediction

Portugal vs Scotland Match Analysis & Prediction

Portugal

08/09/2024 9:45 pm

Scotland

by Vincent

1 month ago 0 17

DISCLAIMER: All odds are quoted at time the prediction went live. Check the sports book for updated odds

After beginning their UEFA Nations League campaign with a win, Portugal will be seeking a second victory on Sunday night when they host Scotland at Estadio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica.

Goals Over 2.5: Yes

Best Odds: 1.69

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BTTS: No

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1X2: 1

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A landmark goal from Cristiano Ronaldo helped the Selecao start with maximum points in League A Group 1, while Scotland fell to another last-gasp defeat.

An early strike from former clubmate Diogo Dalot set the stage for Ronaldo to score his 900th career goal on Thursday, as Portugal secured a 2-1 victory in their Nations League opener against Croatia.

Dalot had fired home after receiving a through ball from Manchester United colleague Bruno Fernandes, before Ronaldo’s finish put the hosts in control of proceedings in Lisbon, although Dalot’s own goal later reduced their advantage.

Head coach Roberto Martinez will ultimately be aiming to goa all the way in a tournament Portugal won in 2019 they missed out on a spot in the finals by finishing second to Spain in their group last time out.

Now, the former Belgium manager targets maximum points from a home double-header, although even finishing second in Group 1 would be enough to reach the quarter-finals in UEFA’s new extended format.

Meanwhile, Steve Clarke’s reign has seen Scotland return to somewhere near their former status, reaching successive European Championship finals and securing promotion to the top tier of the Nations League.

However, a truly miserable run of results continued earlier this week, as Poland converted a stoppage-time penalty to win 3-2 at Hampden Park, following a valiant Scottish fightback.

New Napoli signings Billy Gilmour and Scott McTominay both scored second-half goals to pull the hosts level in Glasgow, but Grant Hanley’s tired challenge felled Nicola Zalewski late on, and the winger then stepped up to beat Angus Gunn from the spot.

Scotland have now conceded 17 goals in eight matches this year, including one in another late heartbreak against Hungary as they exited Euro 2024 with just one point from three games.

Portugal vs. Scotland Head to head

In the previous 10 meetings between these two teams, Portugal have claimed six victories while Scotland have won two, and they have drawn in two. Scotland have scored eight goals and conceded 17 in the process.

18/11/1981

Portugal

2

Scotland

1

World Cup Qualifiers
14/10/1992

Scotland

0

Portugal

0

World Cup Qualifiers
28/04/1993

Portugal

5

Scotland

0

World Cup Qualifiers
20/11/2002

Portugal

2

Scotland

0

Friendlies
14/10/2018

Scotland

1

Portugal

3

Friendlies

Portugal Team News

Pedro Goncalves and Francisco Trincao were both recalled to the squad this month, and they will compete with Rafael Leao and Pedro Neto for selection in support of captain Ronaldo, who is set to start up front.

After Nelson Semedo and Joao Neves were introduced at halftime, either – or both- could be promoted to the starting XI if Martinez decides to rotate his abundant resources.

Portugal's Last 5 Matches

22/06/2024

Turkiye

0

Portugal

3

Euros
26/06/2024

Georgia

2

Portugal

0

Euros
01/07/2024

Portugal

P 0

Slovenia

0

Euros
05/07/2024

Portugal

0

France

0 P

Euros
05/09/2024

Portugal

2

Croatia

1

Nations League

Scotland Team News

Clarke – now without Celtic captain Callum McGregor after his international retirement – sent on Ryan Gauld and Ben Doak for their senior debuts last time out, but is should be a familiar Scotland side here.

Joining first-choice defender Kieran Tierney on the sidelines, Torino striker Che Adams had to withdraw due to injury, so either Lawrence Shankland or Lyndon Dykes will lead the line on Sunday.