Portugal vs Gibraltar Predictions & Betting Tips, Match Previews

Portugal became hugely unlikely European champions in the summer as they stumbled their way all the way to the final in Paris. They failed to win any of their group matches and then relied on extra time against Croatia and a penalty shootout win against Poland. Their 2-0 win against Wales in the semi finals was their first victory in normal time in the competition.

It seems only fitting for their performance to be capped by a drab final against hosts France which was marred by a knee injury to captain and talisman Cristiano Ronaldo. The main story of the 90 minutes was the moth that landed on the captain’s face, but substitute and Swansea reject Eder came on to score a fantastic winner in extra time to snatch the trophy away from France.

This took Portugal’s unbeaten streak to eight matches since their 1-0 defeat to England in June. Three of these ended as draws whilst two more were won in extra time and another on penalties.

Ronaldo has only just recovered from the knee injury that forced him off in Paris, and as such he’s been left out due to lack of fitness. Wonderkid midfielder Renato Sanches is also sidelined, whilst experienced defender Ricardo Carvalho misses out as well. They will rely on the likes of Nani, Ricardo Quaresma, and Eder to get the goals.

Players of that calibre shouldn’t have many issues against Gibraltar. The team is consisted almost entirely of part-time players, and their most recognisable name is probably Scunthorpe United defender Scott Wiseman, who plies his trade in League One.

Gibraltar have won one match in their short history, a 1-0 win over Malta back in June 2014. Since then they have lost 12 and drawn one of their 13 matches, scoring just two goals and conceding a ridiculous 65 goals. That averages out at five goals conceded per game, so they are understandably huge underdogs for this one.

Away from home Gibraltar have lost six and drawn one of their seven matches. They have scored three goals and conceded 34 times, including an 8-1 defeat to Poland and a 6-1 thrashing by Scotland.

Gibraltar have only lost by more than a five goal margin in five of their 17 historic outings and in just two of their seven away days. Teams understandably take their foot off the pedal when they are so far in front, and in a friendly this is even more likely considering goal difference doesn’t matter. Portugal are without Ronaldo as well and don’t have the most clinical strikers, so I think odds of 8/11 for a Gibraltar +6 Handicap Win are good value for money. Obviously I’m expecting Portugal to get the win though, and I’m going for a 4-0 correct score prediction at 15/2 as well.