Portugal vs Spain Match Analysis and Prediction

With a place in the finals of the 2022-23 UEFA Nations League at stake, Portugal and Spain face off in League A Group 2 at the Estadio Municipal on Tuesday.

The Portugal claimed a 4-0 victory over Czech Republic in their most recent game, their opponents lost their grip on top spot with a 2-1 defeat to Switzerland.

Joao Cancelo was forced to watch Saturday’s game with Czech Republic from a naughty step, but Diogo Dalot deputised exceptionally well with a brcae in that 4-0 win.

Bruno Fernandez and Diogo Jota also got their names on the scoresheet as the Portuguese men gave themselves the best possible chance of making the Nations League finals, and with it the chance to secure their second title in the competition in three years.

With 10 points collected from a possible 15, Portugal have leapfrogged Spain to first place in the table with one game to go, and a draw would prove enough for them to progrees to the four-team finals, but three points will stil be of paramount importance.

Fernando Santos’ side welcome Spain to their headquarters having won each of their last four home matches across all competitions, and they have only ever failed to win two of their nine Nations League matches at home so far.

Spain’s victory over Switzerland would have kept them atop of the group no matter what on matchday five, but their fate is now out of their own hands after a surprise 2-1 defeat at the weekend.

Now forced to adopt an ardent approach in their bid to make the Nations League finals, only a win will do for La Roja in Braga, but Alba’s equaliser on Saturday did at least mark a 19th consecutive encounter in which Luis Enrique’s side had found the back of the net.

Portugal vs Spain head to head

These two nations have previously met on 40 occasions across all competitions, where  Portugal have claimed six victories while Spain have won 18, and they have drawn in 16. Spain have scored 85 goals and conceded 45. In their last five meetings, Spain have won one while they have drawn four.

Portugal 0-0(P) Spain 27/06/12

Portugal 3-3 Spain 15/06/18

Portugal 0-0 Spain 07/10/20

Spain 0-0 Portugal 04/06/21

Spain 1-1 Portugal 02/06/22

Portugal latest home form

Portugal have recently been on a good run of form at home, as they have won each of their four most recent matches. They defeated Czech Republic 2-0 in their last home game in the Nations League. In their last five matches, they have scored 12 goals and conceded three.

Portugal 1-2 Serbia 14/11/21

Portugal 3-1 Turkey 24/03/22

Portugal 2-0 North Macedonia 29/03/22

Portugal 4-0 Swtzerland 05/06/22

Portugal 2-0 Czech Republic 09/06/22

Portugal latest away form

Portugal have recently been on a relatively good run of form on the road, having lost just one of their six most recent matches. They defeated Czech Republic 4-0 in their last away game in the Nations League. In their last five matches, they have scored eight goals and conceded two.

Azerbaijan 0-3 Portugal 07/09/21

Republic of Ireland 0-0 Portugal 11/11/21

Spain 1-1 Portugal 02/06/22

Switzerland 1-0 Portugal 12/06/22

Czech Republic 0-4 Portugal 24/09/22

Spain latest home form

Spain lost 2-1 to Switzerland in their last home game in the Nations League. However, they have recently been on a good run of form at home, as they have been unbeaten in their previous five matches. In their last five matches, they have scored 11 goals and conceded four.

Spain 2-1 Albania 26/03/22

Spain 5-0 Iceland 29/03/22

Spain 1-1 Portugal 02/06/22

Spain 2-0 Czech Republic 12/06/22

Spain 1-2 Switzerland 24/09/22

Spain latest away form

Spain have recently been on a good run of form on the road, as they have been unbeaten in their five most recent matches. They defeated Switzerland 1-0 in their last away game in the Nations League. In their last five matches, they have scored eight goals and conceded three.

Kosovo 0-2 Spain 08/09/21

Italy 1-2 Spain 06/10/21

Greece 0-1 Spain 11/11/21

Czech Republic 2-2 Spain 05/06/22

Switzerland 0-1 Spain 09/06/22

Portugal news

Portugal full-back Joao Cancelo will return from suspension for the trip to Spain, and could revert to his left-back role.

Nuno Mendes and Mario Rui would be consigned to the bench, while Diogo Jota could deputise in the number nine spot after coming off the bench to round off the scoring against Czech Republic.

Spain news

Diego Llorente and Dani Carvajal both failed to make the squad for the defeat to Switzerland, due to the fact that they would have missed here if they were booked at the weekend.

Carvajal can therefore come in for Cesar Azpilicueta on the right-hand side, while Koke and Rodri could return to refreshed La Roja.

Prediction and Odds

Spain always seem to have a knack for scoring goals, and they will be forced to go all out on that front if they are to stand a chance of progressing.

Such an approach will of course leave La Roja vulnerable to Portugal’s pace on the counter, and Selecao can take advantage to snatch victory.

Odds: 2.22 2.05 2.30

Probable outcomes

Portugal 1-0 Spain

Portugal 2-0 Spain

Portugal 2-1 Spain

Portugal 1-1 Spain

Portugal 2-2 Spain

Time Stamp:

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