Portugal may be a perfect two wins from two in the UEFA Nations League but their build up to Thursday's Group A4 clash with Denmark in Copenhagen has been disrupted by Cristiano Ronaldo's decision to leave the squad.
Ronaldo started Portugal's group opener against Wales but he did not feature in Sunday's 2-1 away success at Norway - the first time in more than 18 years that he has remained an unused substitute in a competitive international.
The 41-year-old did not celebrate that win with his team-mates or travelling supporters on the pitch after the game, instead opting to head straight down the tunnel, and despite head coach Jorge Jesus denying their was a rift between the two, his captain has now opted to leave the squad, casting his international future into doubt.
Denmark will hope to take advantage of any discontent in the Portugal squad at Parken Stadium and they are fresh from Sunday's 2-0 success over Wales at the same venue, a result that got their UEFA Nations League campaign up and running following their opening defeat to Norway.
Denmark v Portugal Tips Summary
Best Bet - Portugal to win @ 1/1
Alternative Bet - Goncalo Ramos 2+ shots on target @ 6/4
Bet Builder - Joao Felix anytime scorer, Rasmus Hojlund to be fouled & Renato Veiga 2+ fouls committed @ 13/2
Denmark v Portugal Prediction
Best Bet: Portugal to win @ 21/20
Portugal are the only side to have lifted the UEFA Nations League more than once and their overall record in the competition is unsurprisingly impressive, as they have won 16 and lost only four of the matches they have played.
That includes their recent victories over Wales and Norway, neither of which were convincing, but it did extend an impressive run of form for Selecao das Quinas, whose only defeat in 12 internationals was a narrow 1-0 loss to eventual champions Spain at the World Cup.
The victory over Norway also vindicated head coach Jesus, who opted to leave out captain Ronaldo in just his second match in charge, with the 41-year-old's replacement, Goncalo Ramos, going on to score the game-winning goal.
That showed that Portugal can win without their superstar and they should have enough to get the better of a Denmark side that are still picking up the pieces following their failure to qualify for the World Cup.
Sunday's win over Wales was their first since missing out on the finals in North America, while the only other team they have beaten since last October was North Macedonia.
These two sides met in the quarter-finals of the last edition of the UEFA Nations League with Portugal coming through 5-3 on aggregate after the tie went to extra time. Thursday should mark a more routine triumph for the defending champions.
Alternative Bet: Goncalo Ramos 2+ shots on target @ 6/4
Jesus had indicated after the win over Norway that Ronaldo could return to the starting XI for this game, but the Al-Nassr forward's withdrawal means Ramos should keep his place.
The 25-year-old, who swapped Paris Saint-Germain for AC Milan over the summer, celebrated his 12th international goal with the winner against Norway and he has hit the target with three of his four shots during this international break.
Ramos has fired off 14 shots in his first five Serie A appearances for Milan and he could easily test the goalkeeper at least twice on Thursday in what could be seen as the start of a new era for Portugal.
Denmark v Portugal Bet Builder Tip
Joao Felix anytime scorer
Rasmus Hojlund to be fouled
Renato Veiga 2+ fouls committed
Pays 13/2
While Ronaldo has garnered much of the attention during the international break, his fellow forward and club team-mate Joao Felix has been letting his feet do the talking, scoring in the wins over Wales and Norway.
The 26-year-old is also fresh from a 20-goal season with Al-Nassr in 2025/26, as alongside Ronaldo and with Jesus in the dugout, they landed the Saudi Pro League title.
That was by far and away Felix's best scoring season and Jesus certainly knows how to get the best out of the former Atletico Madrid player, who could have another key role to play on Thursday.
At the other end, Rasmus Hojlund has proved a handful for opposition defences during this international break, scoring against Norway, and he has been fouled seven times in two matches.
That trend can continue in Copenhagen, especially if Renato Veiga is tasked with marking the Napoli star, as he has given away a team-high six fouls in this UEFA Nations League campaign.
Learn more about how Bet Builders work in our Bet Builder guide.
Key Match Stats
Portugal's only defeat in their last 12 internationals came against Spain at the World Cup
Denmark's only wins across their last seven games have come against Wales and North Macedonia
Portugal won 5-3 on aggregate when the teams met in the quarter-finals of the last UEFA Nations League campaign
Four of the last five head-to-heads have been won by Selecao das Quinas
Portugal are the defending UEFA Nations League champions and the only side to have lifted the trophy more than once
Read more football betting tips and predictions on site.
This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
