Portugal hosts Poland at Estadio Do Dragao in one of the highly awaited UEFA Nations League matches on Friday, November 15, 2024. Already group-leading and quarterfinal-qualified Portugal team will look to keep their unbeaten streak alive, while injury-struck Poland will try to keep their hopes of reaching quarterfinals alive.
Match Preview
So far, Portugal, under head coach Roberto Martinez, has enjoyed a brilliant UEFA Nations League campaign. They are still the only team undefeated in this group, with three wins and one draw showing both offensive and defensive strength. Cristiano Ronaldo spearheads the attack of the Portuguese, and he will be looking at scoring more and keeping his team dominant this season. However, an area in which they do need to improve is in finishing off games so that they are not pressurised at the end.
Meanwhile, Poland has a mountain to climb, coming into this game with four points in the bag. Poland must win this and then go into their last match to try to rise high, while hoping that points may be dropped by Croatia to possibly reach the quarterfinals. Without their injured star striker Robert Lewandowski, Michal Probierz’s men will find it difficult to stand their ground against the table toppers.
Key Details
Kick-Off: Friday, 15 November 2024, 7:45 PM (UK) / Saturday, 16 November, 1:15 AM (IST)
Venue: Estadio Do Dragao, Porto
Recent Form
Portugal (all competitions): D-W-W-W-D
Poland (all competitions): D-W-L-L-D
Players to Watch
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal): One of the game’s all-time greats, Ronaldo continues his trend of beating Father Time, lately netting ten goals for Al-Nassr. He will be keen to add more to that number and drive Portugal’s offense.
Piotr Zielinski (Poland): Crucial for Poland and a regular runner for Inter Milan in Serie A, Zielinski has scored twice in the Nations League. He is a playmaker, one who controls the tempo of the game, so he will be indispensable in Poland’s midfield without Lewandowski.
Match Facts
Portugal shared a barren goalless draw with Scotland in their last outing.
Poland drew an entertaining 3-3 with Croatia in their last game.
Unbeaten in six matches against Poland, Portugal
Betting Tips and Odds
First goal scorer: Cristiano Ronaldo at 9/4 (bet365)
To win: Portugal at 1/5 (William Hill)
Under 3.5 goals: 8/15 (Sky Bet)
Injury & Team News
Portugal will also have to do without Pedro Goncalves, who is ruled out by a muscle problem, in addition to long-term absentee Diogo Jota. Benfica’s Tomas Araujo and Lazio’s Nuno Tavares have been called up in their place, and Ronaldo will play from the start.
Poland also have some key absences, with the absence of talismanic striker Robert Lewandowski as well as injured players Kacper Kozlowski and Jakub Piotrowski.
Head-to-Head Record
Total Matches: 14
Portugal Wins: 3
Poland Wins: 7
Draws: 4
Predicted Lineups
Poland: Bulka; Dawidowicz, Bednarek, Kiwior; Kaminski, Szymanski, Moder, Zielinski, Zalewski; Swiderski, Urbanski Match Prediction Portugal have been in scintillating form this year and have the momentum of playing at home whereas a Polish outfit will definitely be weaker without Lewandowski. Do expect Portugal to dominate this match and win to keep their unbeaten record intact in the process.
