Poland vs Portugal: Prediction, Preview And Betting Odds

Poland still don't look convincing following their poor showing at the Euros having limped past a poor Scotland outfit before being dominated by Croatia. They're also winless against Portugal in all of the last five head-to-head meetings between the two teams. Over 2.5 goals have been scored in four of Poland's last five games and both of Portugal's last two, so we expect this one to throw up a few goals, with the visitors coming out on top. We predict: Poland 1-3 Portugal.

Poland take on Portugal in the UEFA Nations League this weekend, with the visitors looking to take one step towards the finals of the competition.

• Date: 12/09/2024
• Kick-off time: 14:45 (ET)
• Location: Kazimierz Górski National Stadium, Warsaw

Poland has struggled in recent international tournaments, despite possessing talented players. Their recent World Cup and Euro 2024 campaigns ended in disappointment. New manager Michał Probierz faces the challenge of revitalizing the team and finding a balance between experienced players like Robert Lewandowski and promising young talents like Maximillian Oyedele.

Portugal also experienced a disappointing Euro 2024, with their performance falling short of expectations. Cristiano Ronaldo's continued presence in the team remains a topic of debate, with some questioning his impact on the team's development. Manager Roberto Martínez faces criticism for his failure to create a cohesive and exciting attacking unit. The Nations League offers both teams an opportunity to regroup and improve their performances ahead of future tournaments.

Poland are coming into this game fairly out of form with only one win from their last five games. The Poles faced off against Croatia most recently and fell to a 1-0 loss by way of a Luka Modrić goal in what was a pretty dominant performance from the home side. That result followed a hugely exciting encounter that saw Poland beat Scotland in a five-goal thriller. Goals from Sebastien Szymánski and Robert Lewandowski put Poland 2-0 up in the first half but the Scots fought their way back into the game in the second 45, levelling the scores at 2-2. However, Poland were awarded a penalty in the 97th minute, an opportunity Nicola Zalewski duly converted to win the game 3-2. Before that, Poland drew 1-1 with France, lost 1-3 to Austria and lost 1-2 to the Netherlands.

Portugal's form is solid, with Roberton Martínez's men having won three of their last five games. Their latest victory came in the shape of a 2-1 win over Scotland, where late goals from Bruno Fernandes and Cristiano Ronaldo secured a late comeback, a result that was preceded by a 2-1 win over Croatia courtesy of Diogo Dalot and Ronaldo. Before that, Portugal lost to France on penalties in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 following a 0-0 draw, which came after a penalty shootout win over Slovenia and a 2-0 loss to Georgia.

Poland Team News:

Robert Lewandowski will once again lead the line for Poland in what will be his 155th cap for the Eastern Europeans.

Wojciech Szczęsny is no longer available for selection having retired from international duty, so Łukasz Skorupski should continue in between the sticks.

Predicted lineup: Skorupski; Bednarek, Dawidowicz, Kiwior; Frankowski, Szymański, Zieliński, Urbański, Zalewski; Piątek, Lewandowski.

Portugal Team News:

Chelsea's Renato Veiga will be hoping to earn a first cap for the senior side after a strong start to his career in England.

Portugal have no injury absentees coming into this game and will likely start the game with the same XI that started against Croatia.

Predicted lineup: Costa; Dalot, Dias, Inácio, Mendes; Silva, Vitinha, Fernandes; Neto, Ronaldo, Leão.

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