Verdict: Portugal win
Finest Odds: 4/11
Bookmaker: Luckster
Trying to make one remaining assertion earlier than they open their Euro 24 journey, Portugal will welcome Eire to Aveiro on Tuesday night time.
Portugal
Beginning with the hosts, left annoyed on dwelling soil over the weekend as they finally fell to a 2-1 loss in opposition to World Cup bronze medalists Croatia, Portugal will likely be searching for a direct response right here. However, rightfully smelling a golden alternative on Tuesday night time, Roberto Martinez’s males have continued to shine since their Center Japanese exit 18 months in the past. Storming their technique to this summer time’s European Championships by profitable all of their 10 qualifying appearances by an mixture rating of 36-2, the previous Belgium boss finds his squad tipped as a possible contender in Germany this month. It must also be famous, apart from their 2-1 loss by the hands of Croatia just a few days in the past, that’s the solely defeat that Portugal have suffered in entrance of their very own supporters since manner again in September 2022.
Crew Information
Left as an unused substitute in opposition to Croatia over the weekend, five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo ought to function sooner or later on Tuesday night time as he seems set to earn a 207th worldwide cap. Getting their EURO 24 journey underway in just some days time, Martinez will likely be temped to make just a few adjustments right here.
Bagging a comfort strike in opposition to Croatia on Saturday night and now discovering the online in back-to-back appearances over the previous week, Liverpool star Diego Jota ought to be handed a full recall in Aveiro.
Eire
As for the guests, whereas Eire might need continued to indicate a string of obvious points over the previous couple of years, they’ll take loads of positives from an attention grabbing efficiency over the weekend. Snatching a last-gasp 2-1 victory in opposition to EURO 24 outfit Hungary in Dublin, interim boss John O’Shea will likely be calling on one other gritty efficiency after they arrive in Aveiro on Tuesday night time. Nevertheless, mustering only a pair of wins from any of their earlier 9 appearances throughout all competitions, the one-time Manchester United defender will likely be bracing himself for a heavyweight problem right here. Dropping three of their earlier 4 showdowns on overseas soil, Eire have didn’t win any of their 5 historic journeys to the previous European champions. Regardless of claiming a much-welcomed increase final weekend, O’Shea’s non permanent squad are rightfully put in as a landslide underdog on Tuesday.
Crew Information
With O’Shea doubtlessly seeking to make a handful of alterations on Tuesday night time, Lyon defender Jake O’Brien could possibly be handed an opportunity from the beginning right here. With continued hypothesis over a possible summer time change to Scottish giants Celtic, Liverpool shot-stopper Caoimhin Kelleher will hold his spot between the sticks.
Coming off the bench and bagging what was a sensational last-gaps winner in Dublin over the weekend, Tottenham teen Troy Parrott could possibly be handed a recall and spearhead Eire’s cost.
Key Elements to Think about
- When Portugal and Eire final met again in November 2023 whereas in World Cup qualifying motion, Tuesday’s opponents performed out a 0-0 stalemate.
- Nevertheless, the Greens have didn’t win any of their 5 historic journeys to Portugal.
- Saturday’s 2-1 loss in opposition to Croatia was the primary defeat that Portugal have suffered on dwelling soil since September 2022.
- Eire have misplaced three of their earlier 4 appearances exterior of Dublin.
- Seven of the earlier eight conferences between Portugal and Eire have completed with beneath 3.5 objectives.
Conclusion
Whereas Eire might need sprung an upset in Dublin over the weekend as they snatched a last-gasp 2-1 victory in opposition to Hungary, the Greens will likely be greater than conscious that they face a monumental step up at school right here. Failing to win any of their 5 historic journeys to the previous European champions, they’ll meet a Portugal squad which are pencilled in as a possible contender over in Germany this month. Though Martinez’s males might need been shocked on Saturday night as they fell to a 2-1 defeat at dwelling in opposition to Croatia, we’re backing the Navigators to say a direct response in Aveiro.
Verdict: Portugal win
Finest Odds: 4/11
Bookmaker: Luckster
