MATCH OF THE DAQ previews Croatia v Portugal (International Friendly K.O 18.30)
Portugal clash with Croatia tonight in a friendly in Switzerland on the back of an impressive 1-0 home win over Russia on Friday that put them top of Group F in World Cup qualifying.
Croatia v Portugal
International Friendly
K.O 18.30
HEAD TO HEAD
(Max last 10 only)
12 November 2005 Friendly, Portugal 2-0 Croatia
19 Jun 1996 European Championships Croatia 0 – 3 Portugal 3
PREVIEW
Portugal clash with Croatia tonight in a friendly in Switzerland on the back of an impressive 1-0 home win over Russia on Friday that put them top of Group F in World Cup qualifying. Croatia didn’t fare as well, surprisingly losing at home to Scotland by a single goal, which was a blow as they battle Belgium for top spot in Group A.
These sides have met twice before with Portugal winning on both occasions and the Croats yet to score. Three certain changes for the Iberians will be the absence of Nani, Cristiano Ronaldo and Fabio Coentrão, who will be rested. Helder Postiga, Friday’s goal scorer, may also make way for Hugo Almeida as Paulo Bento looks to mix his team up.
Croatia’s lack of goals is a concern for their boss Igor Stimac, after they had 19 shots versus Scotland but only two were on target. They are also averaging just 1.4 goals a game in qualifying and need to step up on current form to trouble their opponents later.
With both managers likely to play experimental teams it’s probably not a match to be going down the win route in. At around 1.91 on BETDAQ it might be worth backing under 2.5 goals as the Portuguese have kept clean sheets in their last two matches and Croatia, despite Friday’s blip, have a pretty tight defence themselves.
RECOMMENDATION: (1-10 points)
Back under 2.5 goals at around 1.91 on BETDAQ: 4 points
Sunday: -4.00 points
JUNE RETURN TO DATE: -4.39 points
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