Portugal host Croatia in the first round of fixtures at the 2024/25 Nations League.
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Portugal vs Croatia predictions
When the UEFA Nations League was first inserted into the footballing calendar in 2018, it did not attract a great deal of fanfare.
The tournament was widely seen as excessively complicated and simply unnecessary. But as we prepare to begin the fourth edition of the Nations League, it is fair to say that UEFA’s invention has been a major success.
The Nations League has in effect replaced some of the meaningless friendlies that used to take place in international breaks when there was no World Cup or European Championship qualification.
Crucially, it benefits all UEFA members regardless of team strength.
Minnows like Gibraltar, Andorra and San Marino now have regular games against comparable sides.
For mid-ranking teams that make up the bulk of Leagues B and C, the Nations League offers a potential backdoor route into major tournaments. Georgia were certainly grateful for the role it played in helping them reach Euro 2024, where they advanced to the last 16 against the odds.
Meanwhile the continent’s heavyweights – Portugal and Croatia among their number – do battle with each other in a competitive environment with a trophy up for grabs.
Sure, the World Cup and European Championship remain far more desirable prizes than the Nations League. But Portugal celebrated their 2019 success in this competition, and Croatia would have done similar had they beaten Spain in the 2023 final.
A top-two finish in Group A1, which also contains Scotland and Poland, is required to advance to the quarter-finals. These two teams are the favourites to advance, but neither Portugal nor Croatia will take anything for granted.
Victory on matchday one would take some of the pressure off, while there is also a need for both sides to bounce back after Euro 2024.
Portugal reached the quarter-finals, which was seen as the bare minimum achievement, before losing to France on penalties, while Croatia did not even make it out of an admittedly tough group.
This is the first time we will get a look at both teams post-European Championship and it will be interesting to see how they have responded to disappointment over the summer.
Portugal vs Croatia betting tips
The Nations League is back and Portugal will take on Croatia in the first set of fixtures in 2024/25.
Draw – 16/5 (VBET)
In their most recent meeting in June, Croatia beat Portugal for the first time ever. A 2-1 win on the eve of Euro 2024 was long overdue given the Vatreni had gone seven previous clashes without a victory.
Croatia have punched above their weight over the last 25 years, but they were disappointed to go out before the knockout stage in Germany over the summer..
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Former stalwarts Domagoj Vida and Marcelo Brozovic are no longer around, but the experienced trio of Andrej Kramaric, Luka Modric and Ivan Perisic are still part of Zlatko Dalic’s group, together with Manchester City duo Marcelo Kovacic and Josko Gvardiol.
Defensive injuries could weaken Croatia over this international break, but this team has shown its resilience and grit time and time again.
Portugal have the more talented squad but they may have to settle for a point on this occasion.
⚽ Tip a draw at 16/5 with VBET ⚽
Under 2.5 goals – 20/21 (VBET)
With a technically gifted midfield trident of Modric, Kovacic and Luka Sucic, Croatia are capable of taking the ball away from Portugal for periods of Thursday’s encounter.
Their problem, though, is a lack of speed and one-versus-one quality in forward areas. It is that shortcoming that means Croatia sometimes struggle to score goals.
Portugal possess an abundance of creative options in the final third, but the elephant in the room has still not been addressed.
As we saw at the European Championship, the presence of Cristiano Ronaldo up top makes this team less than the sum of its parts.
Everything must go through Ronaldo, even though he is now far below his best at 39. Goals could be in short supply as a result.
⚽ Back under 2.5 goals at 20/21 with VBET ⚽
Bruno Fernandes to score any time – 11/5 (VBET)
Despite the issues mentioned above, Ronaldo is unsurprisingly the favourite in the anytime goalscorer market.
The better value choice could be Bruno Fernandes, however. True, he has not had the best start to the club season, but that is because of Manchester United in general rather than Fernandes in particular.
The attacking midfielder may well be relieved to get away from his club environment for a week or so. And for all the criticisms that can be levelled at Fernandes, he is not one to shirk responsibility.
Fernandes should get himself into some dangerous positions against Croatia, so it is worth a flutter on him finding the back of the net as the 2024/25 Nations League gets under way.
⚽ Go for Bruno Fernandes to score any time at 11/5 with VBET ⚽
📺 How to watch Portugal vs Croatia
- Location: Estadio do Luz, Lisbon, Portugal.
- Date and time: Thursday 5th September, 7.45pm.
- How to watch: TBC.
Read more about the 2024/25 football season
About the author
Greg Lea
Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.
Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball
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