Portugal vs Sweden – Preview & Betting Prediction

Ace Football previews the UEFA Nations League match between Portugal and Sweden, and offers the latest betting tips, odds, line-ups, and team news.

Portugal and Sweden lock horns for the second time in a month, each gunning for all three points to bolster their Nations League campaigns for different reasons.

The reigning champions head into the clash on top of Group A3 on a superior goal difference to France. Last Sunday’s goalless stalemate against the French was underwhelming, but it conserved their lead all the same.

It’s a win or bust scenario for Sweden, on the other hand, in Lisbon. The visitors sit rock-bottom in the group without a single point to their name, leaving them at risk of relegation to League B.

Although fate doesn’t appear to be on Sweden’s side either, having only won one of their last 11 meetings in all competitions.

Portugal Form & Stats

Cristiano Ronaldo testing positive for coronavirus means Portugal will be without their skipper. Fernando Santos reported in his pre-match conference that his star man is doing well though, with the Portuguese Football Federation stating he has shown no symptoms.

So while we can rest assured Ronaldo is doing well, despite his prognosis, attention must now turn to how Portugal will fare without him. It’s no secret the loss is a blow, but Santos does have a plethora of other options with Bruno Fernandes and Joao Felix likely to step up.

The Navigators, meanwhile, head into the game against Sweden on the back of consecutive goalless draws. However, they’ve only lost one of their last 20 games in all competitions and have won five of their last six home games.

Key Team Stats

• Drawn 0-0 in their last two games in all competitions.
• Unbeaten in their last 15 home games in all competitions (W8 D7).
• Have kept five clean sheets in their last six games in all competitions.

Sweden Form & Stats

While Portugal will rue the loss of Ronaldo, Sweden may see it as an opportunity for an upset. Three defeats in as many games mean any hope of qualifying for the finals is practically over for the visitors. It’s now a case of avoiding the drop to League B for the next Nations League campaign.

A 2-1 defeat to Croatia on Sunday only piled more pressure onto Janne Andersson’s side. Marcus Berg may have been on target in a relatively close game in Zagreb, but they still left empty-handed.

Although Sweden have fared well on the road recently, winning four of their last five away fixtures. But they’ve only beaten Portugal once in their last 11 encounters, with their last win coming in a friendly in 2017.

Key Team Stats

• Lost last three Nations League games.
• Won four of their last five away games in all competitions.
• Over 2.5 goals scored in their last five away games in all competitions.
• Only beaten Portugal once in their last 11 meetings in all competitions.

Team News

Portugal: Mario Rui (injured); Anthony Lopes, Jose Fonte, & Cristiano Ronaldo (COVID-19).

Sweden: Filip Helander & Sebastian Andersson (both injured).

Predicted Line-ups

(Note: The image will change to the official XI once they’re both announced)

Head-To-Head Record

Match Facts

Betting Tips

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