Kick-off: 1945, 05/06/2019
Stadium: Estadio do Dragao
TV: Sky Sports
Portugal will enjoy home advantage in the Nations League Finals and that can help them to see off Switzerland in the opening semi.
These teams are familiar foes, having met in a qualifying group for the 2018 World Cup, with each side prevailing 2-0 on home turf and Portugal topping the table on goal difference.
Fernando Santos has named a strong squad here and we’re taking 8/5 for the Navigators to win to nil for our first Portugal vs Switzerland prediction.
A Look At Portugal’s Betting Odds
Portugal were unbeaten in their Nations League pool, picking up a win and a draw against both Italy and Poland to finish three points clear of the Azzurri.
The games against Poland were pretty open, with the Navigators prevailing 3-2 in Chorzow and then drawing 1-1 on home turf in Guimaraes.
However, Portugal produced the kind of disciplined displays against Italy which saw them crowned Euro 2016 champions, winning 1-0 in Lisbon before a goalless stalemate in Milan.
Santos will have been a little disappointed to only share the spoils in two Euro 2020 qualifiers with Ukraine and Serbia in March, but he has a powerful squad for this tournament.
Cristiano Ronaldo should get plenty of service from Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva, Wolves duo Joao Moutinho and Ruben Neves, plus Bruno Fernandes of Sporting Lisbon and highly-rated Benfica teenager Joao Felix.
Silva played a key role as City won the Premier League, FA Cup, EFL Cup and Community Shield in England, so he will be looking to continue on the crest of a wave.
“Of course, having a great season at club level has given me confidence coming into the national side,” said the 24-year-old.
“And it would be brilliant to finish this season with a title with Portugal, too. You always want to win titles.”
Full-backs Joao Cancelo (Juventus) and Nelson Semedo (Barcelona) compliment a solid defence and there are few weak links in this team.
Looking at the Portugal vs Switzerland odds, we reckon 27/10 for a home win and under 2.5 goals in the game is good value.
A Look At Switzerland’s Betting Odds
Switzerland are not a team to be underestimated, having thrashed Belgium 5-2 in Lucerne last November to head their Nations League group.
The Rossocrociati had earlier lost 2-1 in Brussels but beat Iceland 6-0 at home and 2-1 away to help them advance.
Vladimir Petkovic is an accomplished coach, who can call on some experienced players, including Newcastle defender Fabian Schar and Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka.
Benfica striker Haris Seferovic and Liverpool playmaker Xherdan Shaqiri add some attacking spark and they have already picked up four points from two Euro 2020 qualifiers.
However, we just fear they can be made to look a touch one-dimensional at times, with Sweden beating them 1-0 in the World Cup knockout rounds and England obliging by the same scoreline in last September’s Leicester friendly.
“Portugal are certainly favourites, not just in this game, but for the tournament as a whole,” said Petkovic. “They’re at home and are European champions.”
This could be tight for a while, but we’re adding 333/100 for Draw HT/Portugal FT to our Portugal vs Switzerland betting tips.
Promising Schalke forward Breel Embolo is absent after suffering an injury in training last week, while Arsenal defender Stephan Lichsteiner is also out.
Additional stats
Last result:
PORTUGAL 1-1 Serbia – Danilo
SWITZERLAND 3-3 Denmark – Freuler, Xhaka, Embolo
Head-to-head: Portugal 2-0 Switzerland, Switzerland 2-0 Portugal, Switzerland 2-0 Portugal, Portugal 1-0 Switzerland
Join bwin today and receive up to £10 money back as a FreeBet if your first wager at odds of 1/1 (2.0) or greater is a loser! Terms and conditions apply.
Stay close to the action with the bwin app. Access more markets than any other betting provider and scan our in-depth football statistics menu to find and make your bet selections fast. Download now the best betting app.
