Portugal vs Spain Prediction & Tips
The Iberian derby in Braga on Tuesday will decide the winner of Group A2 of the UEFA Nations League (UNL). Portugal, the leaders, need only a draw against Spain – there have been draws in the four previous derbies – and must take all three points. With a brace from Diogo Dalot, the Portuguese national team (G3, E1, P1, +9) overwhelmed the Czech Republic Portugal on matchday five, taking the lead from the Spanish team, and the first UNL champion will be looking to advance from the group stage for the second time after failing to do so in the last edition.
A equipa das Quinas, almost invincible at home: Portugal has lost only once at home in the history of the competition (G7, E1, P1). Fernando Santos’s side have broken the 0-0 scoreline in their last seven matches at home, and reopening the scoring could be key against a Spanish side against whom they drew in the first matchday thanks to a goal in the 82nd minute (1-1).
Spain (G2, E2, P1) visit their neighbors after a disappointing 2-1 loss to Switzerland at La Romareda. “I can’t remember a game with so many technical errors by so many players,” said Spain coach Luis Enrique after the match. The three-time European champions had not lost at home since October 2018, when they lost to England also at UNL, and now only need to take the three points to reach the final four. It is the same situation they were in after five rounds of the last UNL, and then they responded in style by achieving a historic 6-0 thrashing of Germany in the last match.
Too soft at the back against Switzerland, Spain must significantly improve their defensive performance if they are to have any chance of taking Portugal by storm. The Spanish team has kept a clean sheet in only one of its eight away games at the UNL, although that outing was the most recent (G 1-0 vs. Switzerland). Needing to win, they will also need to be sharp in front of goal, and it is worth remembering that in their last visit to Portugal (0-0) they saw their longest-ever streak of scoring at least one goal (42 matches) ended.
Players to watch: with his performance against the Czech Republic (G1, A1), Bruno Fernandes’ last 16 direct goal appearances for Portugal (G9, A7) have all come in wins. Ferran Torres, one of Spain’s most criticized players after the loss to Switzerland, scored a hat-trick in that memorable win over Germany. The Barça winger has scored in ten games for Spain, all of them victories.
Interesting fact: only two of the last nine duels between Portugal and Spain have featured goals from both teams.
Portugal – Spain FREE TIPS
OVER 2.5 GOALS @ 2.25
