Sweden vs Portugal Prediction & Betting Tips - UEFA Nations League

Prediction published on 06/09/2020, 01:33  by Daniel Ngulu | Modified on 06/09/2020 at 01:40 in UEFA Nations League Predictions

Sweden started their UEFA Nations League campaign on a losing note, falling 1-0 at home to France and they will be hoping to do better when they host Portugal for their second game. Meanwhile, Portugal had a winning start, beating Croatia 4-1 at home to take an early lead in Group 3 of League A. Sweden had a good run in the Euro Championships qualifiers, finishing second to Spain in their group and heading to the France clash, they hadn’t lost in eight matches. Kylian Mbappe’s 41st minute goal ended their unbeaten run and also saw them concede for the first time in five matches. It was also the first time they failed to score in nine matches and five of their last six matches have produced under 2.5 goals. It will be even tougher against Portugal with the Nations League holders keen to extend their good run in this competition. Sweden have two losses in their last 10 home matches and have won five but the quality of the opposition they have faced in these matches can’t compare to Portugal’s. The last time these two nations met, Sweden beat Portugal 3-2 in a friendly match. However, Portugal had beaten Sweden home and away in the earlier two matches in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers. In the last 10 matches between the two sides, Sweden have one win.

Portugal have four wins and one loss in 10 matches against Sweden and heading here from a big win will give them the needed motivation. In the 2018/19 Nations League, Portugal emerged the best, going unbeaten all through to win the inaugural edition and are keen to defend their title, playing in a group that has world champions and finalists in the 2018 World Cup. Portugal missed Cristiano Ronaldo in their match against Croatia as he suffered a foot infection and could only watch from the stands. His absence didn’t show as the holders were comfortable in the game. They took a 3-0 lead before Bruno Petkovic scored a 90th minute consolation for Croatia, but then Andre Silva, having come from the bench scored for Portugal deep in injury time to restore the three-goal cushion. Ronaldo is expected to return in the Sweden game, which will be a big boost. In their last 17 matches, Portugal have lost just once and won 11. In their last 20 matches, Portugal have failed to score in just two and have scored two or more in four of their last five matches. Away from home, the European champions have lost once in the last seven matches, and won five times.