Croatia vs Portugal Prediction & Betting Tips (18 November)

Croatia played big on Friday evening against Scotland because in the event of a misstep, whether it be a draw or a defeat, and a success for the Portuguese, first place would no longer be accessible and that is what happened unfortunately for the locals who ended up losing at the end of the match. The Croatians had so far had a good group stage in this Nations League where now, the first two in each group qualify for the final-8 and not a final-four. After a difficult Euro punctuated by an elimination in the group stage, the 2018 world vice-champion returned to the Nations League in September with a defeat against Portugal by a certain Cristiano Ronaldo , victorious scorer of this opposition 2-1. Subsequently, Luka Modric's partners made the coffee against Poland at home 1-0, then against Scotland 2-1 before being taken over by the Polish patrol in a sensational match 3-3. As a reminder, Croatia is a finalist in the last edition of this Nations League, beaten by Spain on penalties.

 Opposite, we find the 2016 European champion and first winner of this Nations League, Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal. Aside from a draw in October against Scotland at Hampden Park 0-0, the Portuguese literally defied all competition by winning their first three matches against Croatia 2-1, by the same score against the Scottish in the first leg 2-1, and Poland 1-3. Last week, as part of J5, Roberto Martinez's men secured first place by stifling Poland in just thirty minutes during the second act 5-1, notably with a marvelous scissor from Cristiano Ronaldo.

There are a lot of injured players who had to throw in the towel for this Croatian side, notably in the defensive sector with Erlic (Bologna), Prpic (0 sel), Stanisic (Bayern, 20 sel), and Juranovic (Union Berlin, 39 capes). It will be recalled that Vida hung up her boots for the selection, the same for the emblematic midfielder Brozovic (7 goals, 99 caps). In the middle, the genius of Majer (ex-Rennes, Wolfsburg, 8 goals in 34 caps), who remains injured, will be missed. Scorer Petkovic (Dinamo Zabreg, 11 pawns in 42 caps) is also absent from this gathering. On the other hand, in terms of good news, Luka Modric (Real Madrid), Perisic (PSV), Kramaric (Hoffenheim), Budimir (Osasuna), Orsic (Trabzonspor) are there in the same way as Sucic (Real Sociedad), Pasalic ( Atalanta), or even Vlasic (Torino). The young talent Baturina (Dinamo Zagreb, 8 sel) have all been called up by the coach, Dalic. The starting goalkeeper Livakovic, suspended Friday evening, will be eligible again while two major players will be exempt from playing due to suspension. This is the case for striker Kramaric and midfielder Sucic.

  Roberto Martinez had to review his plans for this training course since Inacio, injured with Sporting, was not called up like his club partner, Goncalves (3 caps), Ruben Dias (Man City, choice), Lille Santos (choice), midfielder Nunes (Man City, injured) and PSG striker Goncalo Ramos still recovering from his injury. The man with 217 caps for the country, Cristiano Ronaldo (135 pawns), is most likely aiming for the World Cup as his last career goal before drawing a line under his formidable career. Sometimes put in the closet by Fonseca, Leao (AC Milan) is indeed present in the selection just like Joao Félix who is content with the crumbs at Chelsea. Note also the presence of Juvetus crackito, Francisco Conceicao. PSG midfielders Vitinha and Joao Neves are very present, like their club partner, Nuno Mendes. The cards are somewhat redistributed in the central hinge since in the absence of Ruben Dias and the retirement of Pepe after the Euro, there are places to be made. The full-backs Joao Cancelo (10 goals in 59 caps), Semedo (Wolverhampton), and Dalot (Man United) responded favorably to their coach's call.