Portugal VS Serbia Match Prediction
2019-03-25
19:45:00
Portugal
VS
Serbia
Our Prediction Tip
Portugal will win this match.
2019-03-2519:45:00 Portugal will win this match.
Portugal are unbeaten in four previous matches against Serbia since the break-up of Yugoslavia and Montenegrin independence. They drew their first two meetings, in qualifying for Euro 2008, but Portugal won both matches in Euro 2016 qualifying 2-1. Ricardo Carvalho and Fabio Coentrao scored either side of Nemanja Matic's equaliser in Lisbon, while Joao Moutinho scored the winner in Belgrade after Zoran Tosic cancelled out Nani's opener.
Portugal start their European Championship qualifying campaign with two tricky home matches and, on paper, Serbia look the most likely team to rival them for top spot.
It is imperative then that they get off to a winning start, and with Serbia depleted by injuries to some of their experienced players - Aleksandar Kolarov and Nemanja Matic included - they have a good chance to do that.
Cristiano Ronaldo's return undoubtedly strengthens Portugal but with Andre Silva and Bernardo Silva in good form they have already got a strong attacking line-up.
At the other end, it is all about experience - provided by the likes of Jose Fonte and goalkeeper Rui Patricio - while Wolves' duo Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho are capable of bossing the midfield.
The latter two have combined well in the Premier League this season and if they can dictate play then there will be plenty of chances for the likes of Ronaldo and the two Silvas to test Serbia.
In the last European Championship qualifying campaign - before Portugal eventually went on to win the competition - they beat Serbia twice.
On home soil, they need to beating Serbia again to ensure they are in control of their own fate in this group early on - but with such an excellent home record going into these qualifiers, they should do exactly that.
At home, Portugal are odds-on favourites to beat Serbia at 4/6 with Ladbrokes and Betway.
Both teams scored in both matches between them last time they met, however, and both teams to score again has been set at 4/6 with Bet365.
Portugal to win and BTTS is 3/1 with Betfair, Ladbrokes, Paddy Power, Bet365 and Betway, while over 2.5 goals will return 11/10 with Paddy Power, Betfair, Bet365 and Ladbrokes.
Cristiano Ronaldo will lead the Portugal attack on his return and should be backed to score at any time, while Bernardo Silva and Andre Silva offer plenty of attacking options alongside him too.
Portugal's competitive home record will be key ahead of this fixture - one they need to win against their likely biggest rivals for qualification. They can achieve a home win and get off to a strong start in this group, however.
Bruno Fernandes withdrew from the Portugal squad for the matches against Ukraine and Serbia through injury but the headline news was Cristiano Ronaldo’s comeback. The Juventus man had been missing from international level since the World Cup. Joao Moutinho and Pepe also add experience to the squad, while at the other end of the scale Moutinho’s club team-mate Diogo Jota is one of four uncapped players selected.
Cristiano Ronaldo - After the World Cup, Ronaldo had 85 goals in 154 international appearances and, now back in the fold, he could soon be approaching three figures in the goals tally.
Bernardo Silva - Stepped up in Ronaldo’s absence, while he has also been one of Manchester City’s best players in a remarkable season too.
Andre Silva - Scored three times in the UEFA Nations League to recapture his best form up front for Portugal and move to 15 for his country.
Portugal went into these Euro 2020 qualifiers having drawn back-to-back matches against Italy and Poland in November - which was enough to top the UEFA Nations League group and earn a place in the finals, which are to be held in Portugal. Against Italy, they drew 0-0 away from home before Andre Silva’s goal earned a 1-1 home draw with Poland.
Captain Aleksandar Kolarov has withdrawn from the Serbia squad due to injury, as has vice-captain Nemanja Matic, midfielder Filip Kostic and striker Aleksandar Prijovic. Milan Pavkov was sent off in the friendly against Germany but remains available for this match despite his horror tackle on Leroy Sane.
Aleksandar Mitrovic – Rested for the game against Germany but the powerful Fulham striker’s international goalscoring form has been superb.
Dusan Tadic – Another likely to come into the team after missing the friendly – he has transformed Ajax’s attack and helped them to the Champions League quarter-finals.
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic – The playmaker is highly rated and faces an interesting midfield battle against Wolves duo Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho.
Serbia drew with Germany on Wednesday night after Luka Jovic’s goal to stretch their unbeaten run to seven matches since their World Cup exit. Their most recent international break saw them beat Montenegro 2-1 and Lithuania 4-1 – Adem Ljajic and Aleksandar Mitrovic scoring in both matches – as Serbia topped their UEFA Nations League group.
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