After our winning tip yesterday, we are looking to keep our streak going with today’s top bet in the form of this Poland v Portugal prediction. This is Group 1 of League A in UEFA’s Nations League and Portugal is on top with two wins from their first two fixtures, both with a 2:1 scoreline. Poland occupies the third spot with one win and one defeat. The game will be played at the National Stadium in Warsaw, and it will feature a classic battle between two of Europe’s most prolific attackers for the past decade (or two) with Lewandowski and Ronaldo going head-to-head.
Poland Out For Redemption
It’s safe to say that Poland’s performances at the 2024 Euros in Germany were subpar. They lost their first two matches, while a Lewandowski penalty earned them their sole point in the final fixture against France (1:1). The 1:3 defeat against Austria was particularly bad, and it sealed their elimination in just the second game of the competition. Fact is that Lewandowski did not play in their first two games, but they have to find a way to win without him given that he is now 36 years old and will most likely retire from international football in a year or two.
As expected, their Euro 2024 elimination at the group stage led to a head coaching change and former U-21 coach Michał Probierz took over with the difficult job of steering this football nation back in the right direction while at the same time injecting some young talent.
In today’s game against Portugal, Probierz is expected to start a couple of young players in midfield – Szymański (25), playing regularly for Fenerbahce under Jose Mourinho, and Kacper Urbański from Bologna who is just 20 years old. The 30-year old Piotr Zieliński from Inter would be responsible for bringing in some experience and calmness in the squad, and we all know he is a top, top player. So Poland have a pretty decent midfield and two deadly strikers up front with Lewa and Piatek.
This makes me believe that the hosts will score and that’s one of the best betting tips for today.
Expected Lineups
Portugal Looking To Maintain Good Start
Continuing with the visitors in today’s top bet, Portugal did not exactly impress at the Euros in Germany despite winning their group only to go down on penalties against France in the quarter-finals. The real elephant in the room for them is Cristiano Ronaldo. No one denies the absolute living legend that he is, but one could argue that his presence might actually be hurting Portugal as he is no longer playing his best football, demands too much of the ball without being able to dribble past one defender, takes every free kick only to shoot it five meters wide, and basically takes the spot of a much younger player that could develop.
For this game in Warsaw, coach Roberto Martinez is expected to stick to his attacking 4-3-3 formation with Jota and Leao in support for Cristiano Ronaldo. There is also plenty of class in midfield with Bayern Munich’s new expensive signing Palhina, Bernardo Silva, and Man United’s captain Bruno Fernandes. Portugal also has two very attack-minded full backs in Diogo Dalot and Nono Mendes, who has been in excellent form for PSG in recent weeks.
Poland have conceded in their last nine matches, so they are quite vulnerable in defense. Going against a star-studded Portugal side, I expect this negative trend to continue. Thus, our top betting pick for today and Poland v Portugal prediction is for Both Teams to Score.
