Portugal vs Italy Predictions

Portugal may have surprised everyone when they defended their way to the Euro 2016 crown two years ago, but their journey in the World Cup this summer was less successful for Cristiano Ronaldo and company.

They got through the group stages in 2nd place after winning one and drawing two of their group games, but Uruguay swiftly ended any hopes of another trophy with a 2-1 victory in the first knockout round. Now, Fernando Santos is forced to consider a future without Cristiano Ronaldo as he ponders on whether to retire from international football.

The talisman captain isn’t in this squad as he makes his decision, while both Nani and Ricardo Pereira have been left out of the squad. Andre Silva is a promising option up front with 12 goals in his 27 international appearances, and their overall squad does look good. Bernardo Silva and Goncalo Guedes look like the future of the Portugese attack along with Andre Silva, while William Carvalho, Renato Sanches, and Ruben Neves provide a lot in midfield.

Things are less promising at the back though. 35 year old Pepe is still a first choice centre back, and in their 1-1 draw with Croatia last time out they partnered him with the 21 year old Ruben Dias from Benfica. This selection shows a real concern in the centre back department, and that’s something that a resurgent Mario Balotelli will be looking to exploit.

The Nice striker started again up front for Roberto Mancini’s side as they drew with Poland on Friday, and with support from the wider Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi, they look to be a promising front line. The fact that only one of their midfielders has more than ten caps is a concern though, as is their continued reliance on the ageing Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci at the back.

Read More – Are Italy on Course for 2020 Recovery?

Indeed, these similar issues have seen both teams decline in defensive stability recently. Portugal have kept just one clean sheet in their last six home matches, and Italy have conceded in eight of their ten away games since the end of Euro 2016. They have, however, scored in seven of these games, and Portugal have failed to score in just one of their 14 home games since they lifted that trophy in Paris.

This makes backing Both Teams to Score look a very good value option, so that’s what we’re going for here along with a 2-1 win for the hosts.