Int'nl Friendly: Portugal x Croatia, Match Preview, Team News, Odds and Predictions(08/06/2024)

When Portugal and Croatia square off in a much anticipated friendly, all eyes will be on Estadio Nacional do Jamor. Portugal wants to capitalize on their 4-2 victory against Finland, and Cristiano Ronaldo will probably start for the hosts this time. There should be a home victory since Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes are back in the starting lineup.

Zlatko Dalic's team had little trouble defeating North Macedonia 3-0, but they will have a mountain to climb in Lisbon. In their most recent competitive encounter, Portugal won 3-2 over Croatia, and history will likely repeat itself. Ace of Real Madrid. Following his rest against North Macedonia, Luka Modric should play some role in Saturday's match, while Ante Budimir will also be vying for a start. It seems unlikely to take a chance on Nikola Vlasic.

Portugal x Croatia Team News

Five-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo could return here and lead Martinez's push in Lisbon after missing Portugal's team for their midweek 4-2 triumph over Finland. As he keeps winning accolades from all across the continent, 20-year-old Antonio Silva should play with Manchester City star Ruben Dias in the center of Portugal's defense.

Bruno Fernandes of Manchester City, who scored two goals against Finland on Tuesday night, should start this game. Similarly, Goncalo Ramos will aim to get into Martinez's starting lineup after scoring 11 goals in Ligue 1 with P.S.G. the previous season.

After helping Manchester City win their first Premier League title the previous season, former RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol should be entirely recalled on Saturday night. Mateo Kovacic of City will also pair up with Dinamo Zagreb rookie Martin Baturina in the center of Croatia's midfield in Lisbon.

Andrej Kramaric scored 15 Bundesliga goals with Hoffenheim last season. He will lead Dalic's push in the final third. With Galatasaray, the reigning Turkish champions, Dominik Livakovic will start in goal and get his 54th cap for his country.

Head To Head And Previous Matches

Starting with the hosts, the Navigators have made a spectacular comeback after being left unsatisfied in Qatar 18 months ago when they had to settle for a World Cup Round of 16 place. The former European champions, led by Roberto Martinez, are still performing well, and the atmosphere in their camp is blazing. 

The ex-Belgium coach will ask his team to make one last declaration of purpose today, as some are predicting them to be contenders when they begin their Euro 24 journey later in the month. 

Portugal, who had an incredible qualification journey the previous year, was last seen winning 4-2 against Finland earlier in the week. Martinez's team won all ten of their Group J games, with an overall score of 36-2.

Regarding the visitors, Croatia has continued establishing a terrifying reputation for its exploits on the big tournament stage, having made true history in Qatar 18 months ago when it won a bronze medal. 

Zlatko Dalic's team has won all five of its previous five games in all competitions on either side of starting the New Year. It picked up some ideal momentum earlier in the week as it blazed its way to a straightforward 3-0 victory over North Macedonia. 

The Blazers have recently discovered a clinical edge in the final third, which has earned them an automatic place in the European Championships this summer. Croatia should be looking forward to their Saturday night journey to Lisbon, having won 4-2 against Egypt to close up the international break in March.

Our Predictions

Both teams are to score @1.80 on Sky247.ng 

Two camps hope to make a big impression in the European Championships this summer, so that Saturday night may be fun. Portugal may have only improved after their wild qualification experience the previous year, but Croatia has established a terrifying reputation for their performance among Europe's best. We anticipate a similar result this weekend since each of the last three encounters between the opponents on Saturday ended with both sides scoring.

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