The Matchday 5 clash in the Nations League between Portugal and Poland in Group 1 of League A will take place on November 15 at the Estádio do Dragão in Porto. Portugal vs. Poland: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Referee: Donatas Rumšas (Latvia)
Matches – 15 (International matches, 2023–2024);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 51;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.4;
Red cards shown – 6;
Average fouls per match – 22;
Penalties – 33%.
Predicted lineups for Portugal vs. Poland
Portugal (4-3-3): Diogo Costa – Nuno Mendes, Nelson Semedo, Diogo Dalot, Renato Veiga – Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha, Bernardo Silva – Rafael Leão, Pedro Neto, Cristiano Ronaldo.
Poland (3-5-2): Lukasz Skorupski – Jan Bednarek, Sebastian Walukiewicz, Jakub Kiwior – Bartosz Slisz, Nicola Zalewski, Piotr Zielinski, Bartosz Kapustka, Sebastian Szymanski – Karol Swiderski, Krzysztof Piatek.
Portugal
Portugal confidently leads the standings in Group 1. The team started with home victories by the same scoreline of 2-1 against Croatia and Scotland, and then won away against Poland (3-1). In the last round, Roberto Martinez's side dropped their first points in the current Nations League, drawing away with Scotland (0-0). To advance to the playoffs, the team only needs to avoid defeat in the upcoming match.
- Portugal has played 22 matches in this tournament and has suffered only three defeats (14 wins and 5 draws).
- The team has not conceded more than one goal in their last 10 Nations League matches.
- No more than three goals have been scored in 6 of Portugal's last 7 home Nations League games.
Poland
Poland has only one win to their name, which they secured in the first round by defeating Scotland away with a score of 3-2. This was followed by two defeats – against Croatia (0-1) and Portugal (1-3), and in the last match, Poland drew with the Balkans at home (3-3). If Poland earns more points in the fifth round than Croatia, they will keep their chances of reaching the Nations League playoffs. If they earn more points than Scotland, they will avoid direct relegation to League B based on this match's outcome.
Forward Robert Lewandowski will miss both matches in November due to injury.
- The team has not won in 7 of their last 9 Nations League matches (2 draws and 5 losses).
- Poland has conceded in the second half in 10 of their last 12 games in this tournament.
- No more than three goals have been scored in 7 of Poland's last 10 away Nations League matches.
Portugal vs. Poland: Match Prediction
Despite the fact that a draw would suffice for the hosts in this encounter, I am confident they will not take risks and will try to defeat their opponent. Especially considering that Portugal is very strong at home: in their last 10 home Nations League matches, the team has secured 8 victories, losing only to France and Spain. Meanwhile, Poland has struggled against top opponents away in this tournament, winning only 3 of their last 10 away matches.
I also expect at least three goals in the match. Portugal has scored at least two goals in 6 of their last 8 home Nations League matches. Poland has scored in 7 of their last 10 away games in this tournament but has also conceded in 9 of those 10 matches.
It is worth noting that Portugal has a 7-match winning streak at home in official competitions. Moreover, in six of these matches, three or more goals were scored. My prediction – Portugal to win and Total over 2.5 goals