Portugal VS Tunisia Match Prediction

  • Logo2018-05-28
  • Logo18:45:00
Portugal
VS
Tunisia

Our Prediction Tip

Portugal will win this match.

Portugal have played Tunisia just once in the past, with the match taking place in 2002. It would end in a 1-1 draw in Lisbon.  

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Portugal vs Tunisia Betting Tips and Odds

Bet365 have the following odds available for this match:

Portugal are at 2/5 to win, a draw is at 11/2, and a Tunisia win is at 8/1.

Both of these sides will be lining up in Russia thanks to excellent showings in World Cup qualification. The Portuguese, who have so often been forced to go through playoffs to book their place at big events, were able to avoid that this time around.  In Group B, they did so by taking 27 out of the 30 possible points.  They did lose to Switzerland, whom they tied on points with, but they won the second and most crucial meeting, which allowed them to go through.  Tunisia, meanwhile, had a real fights on its hands in CAF Group A.  While Libya and Guinea did not put up much of a fight at all, second place DR Congo definitely did.  The Congolese side only finished one point back of Tunisia, with the Tunisians win over them proving to be the difference in the two.

In the past year, Portugal have had some amazing results. They have lost just once, drawn just three times, and have won 12 times.  They were only eliminated from the Confederations Cup via penalties, and they won a ton of matches in a row in UEFA qualification to get them to Russia automatically.  One slight worry for them will be that they have won just one of their last three matches.  They lost to the Netherlands back in March in their most recent friendly and two matches before that, they were held by a young American side 1-1 in a friendly.  As for Tunisia, they have had a nearly flawless time in the last year, and they will hope to keep that up next month.  They have played just seven times, but they have five wins and two draws in that space.  Both draws came in qualification, but it didn't hurt them due to winning over the DR Congo.  Recent friendly wins, both in March, over Iran and Costa Rica are good signs for them that they are ready to compete with anyone.

Portugal to lead at the break and win, via Ladbrokes, is at 6/5.

Portugal vs Tunisia Prediction

Portugal had Cristiano Ronaldo in their side when they faced off against Mo Salah and Egypt in a thrilling contest in March, and this time they won't have him around. That means they have less room for error, but they should just about take it against the Tunisians.

Correct Score Prediction: Portugal 1-0 Tunisia

 

Team News

Fernando Santos has already named his squad for Russia, and there have been very few surprises inside of it.  Perhaps the biggest snubs are Marseille center back Rolando, right back Nelson Semedo and midfielder Andre Gomes of Barcelona, and forwards Nani and Eder.  Cristiano Ronaldo is included in the World Cup squad, but he won't play here so soon after the Champions League Final.

Key Man

With Ronaldo out, someone else will have to step in and produce a big performance for the reigning European champions.  After a rough club season, AC Milan man Andre Silva will be looking to stamp his authority down and show his manager that he should be starting alongside Ronaldo in the World Cup. Silva have shown flashes of brilliance, but he has not lived up to the moniker of the next Ronaldo as of yet, and that simply means he's not an automatic starter just yet.

Team Form

Portugal have a loss, three wins, and a draw in their last five matches:

0-3 home loss vs Netherlands
2-1 home win vs Egypt  
1-1 home draw vs USA  
3-0 home win vs Saudi Arabia
2-0 home win vs Switzerland (WCQ)

Portugal Predicted Starting Line-up

Expected Line-up: 4-2-3-1

Team News

Nabil Maaloul will be forced to find another option up front for both this friendly and for the World Cup as well, as forward Youssef Msakni has been forced to be left off due to injury.  Other players that have not made the squad are midfielder Mohamed Ali Moncer and forward Taha Yassine Khenissi.

Key Man

With injury to their main striker, Tunisia will have to improvise. And in so doing, they look to be turning to winger Wahbi Khazri.  The Rennes man, formerly of Sunderland when they played in the Premier League, is plenty of capable of scoring goals and leading the line. He's scored 12 times in 35 matches from the wing in international play, including a goal when he scored in the win over Costa Rica as a forward last time out.  Look for him to have a big month or so if they are to do well.

Team Form

Tunisia have three wins and two draws in their last five matches:

1-0 home win vs Costa Rica
1-0 home win vs Iran
0-0 home draw vs Libya
1-4 win at Guinea (WCQ)
2-2 draw at Congo DR (WCQ)

Tunisia Predicted Starting Line-up

Expected Line-up: 4-2-3-1

On paper, Tunisia sound like a pushover for a side like Portugal, who won Euro 2016 and will be a contender to win the World Cup as well. But, that is not the case. Tunisia are headed for the tournament as well, and they will prove to be no slouches once they are there, or before for that matter. Like Egypt did a couple of months back, Tunisia will test the Portuguese.
Tunisia have not lost any of their last seven matches in all competitions.