Portugal v Croatia: Prediction, Tips and Odds

After finishing as runners-up in the last edition of the Nations League, Croatia face a tough first test this time around when they go to Portugal in Group A1.

This is an early meeting in the competition between two of the bigger European powers as Croatia prepare to take on the team who won the inaugural Nations League back in 2021.

One interesting side note ahead of this fixture is the ongoing presence of Cristiano Ronaldo in the hosts’ squad and Luka Modric in Croatia’s.

The two veterans were widely expected to call time on their respective international careers after Euro 2024 this summer, but both have decided to continue playing for their nations. 

Portugal vs Croatia betting tips and predictions

Both Teams To Score Yes - 10/11

Portugal come into this game as the clear favourites and justifiably so, given they have home advantage and have never lost a competitive game against Croatia in four attempts - with three outright wins and one win in extra-time.

However, the Croats have won their last four Nations League trips and will feel this competition represents a real chance to claim their first piece of silverware after coming agonisingly close last time out, losing out on penalties to Spain in the final.

Zlatko Dalic’s men also enter this game with a point to prove after underwhelming at Euro 2024, where they were eliminated in the group stages after failing to win a game, so they should be highly motivated here.

As such, the 10/11 on offer for both teams to score looks a solid bet. Portugal conceded in two of their four Euro 2024 games and they’ve conceded in three of their last four games on home soil - including in a 2-1 friendly defeat to Thursday’s opponents.

Croatia conceded six goals in their three group stage games in Germany but they only failed to score themselves in one of those fixtures, a 3-0 defeat to eventual winners Spain.

Both teams have scored in four of the Vatreni’s last six games overall, and they’ve scored themselves in five of those games so they have enough attacking quality to make an impact in Lisbon.

Ronaldo may be fighting on for the Selecao but fellow veteran, defender Pepe, finally called time on his career after the Euros, aged 41. That means this Portuguese backline will have a bit of a new-look feel and there are two uncapped players in boss Roberto Martinez’s selection of seven defenders, so taking a chance on both teams scoring looks a reasonable option. 

Rafael Leao to score anytime - 21/10

Rafael Leao put in a few strong displays at Euro 2024 without scoring and he should start for Portugal on Thursday.

The 25-year-old has made a solid start to the season in Italy with AC Milan on a personal level despite the Rossoneri’s struggles. 

Leao opened his account for the season in a 2-2 draw with Lazio in Milan’s last game before the break and also has an assist to his name.

Leao will operate in an attacking trio behind Ronaldo for Portugal and he comes into the game in good form, so at 21/10 he offers a value option in the anytime scorer market. 

Andrej Kramaric over 0.5 shots on target - 11/10 

Andrej Kramaric is expected to lead the line for Croatia so the odds-against price on the striker at least forcing one save has to be worth some consideration, either as a single bet or as part of a bet builder. 

The 33-year-old has made an incredible start to the domestic campaign in Germany with four goals in two Bundesliga games for Hoffenheim, including a hat-trick in the opening round of games against Kiel.

Kramaric comes into the game in red-hot form and at the very least can register an attempt on target, while he is 9/2 to score at anytime.

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Portugal vs Croatia odds

Portugal - 8/15
Draw - 3/1
Croatia - 11/2

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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.