Portugal v Serbia
Monday 25th March 1945hrs
Football – International – European Championship Qualifying
Pick Under 2.5 goals
Bookmaker Marathon Bet
Odds: 73/100 (odds taken 10.55 GMT, Sunday 24th March)
Portugal are the reigning European champions but had to settle for a draw in their first qualifying game for Euro 2020 and will be up against another tough opponent when hosting an improving and dangerous Serbian team on Monday in Lisbon.
European Championship Qualifying Betting at Marathon Bet
Portugal Preview
They were a surprise winner in 2016 and were not at their best in last summer’s World Cup but there is no doubt that Portugal will be amongst the favourites should they reach the finals next year. Fernando Santos remains in charge and led his team to top place in the Nations League meaning they are already assured of a playoff position at the very least. That top place finish in a group made up with Poland and Italy was achieved without the services of the now Juventus star, Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese captain returned to international action last weekend in the goalless draw with Ukraine having had a sabbatical since the World Cup. It was not the return he would have hoped for as Portugal were frustrated despite completely dominating the game. Santos will be disappointed that his team have dropped two points in their first game of the campaign – especially as it was at home – but he will not be overly concerned with so much football left to play and the top two qualifying automatically. It does make Monday’s game more important however as anything less than four points from these two home games would be seen as below par and leave them playing catch-up in the group. A similar sort of performance to Friday’s and they will feel they won’t be far away, however.
Key-Facts – Portugal v Serbia
- Defending champions Portugal had to settle for a draw in their first qualifier with a 0-0 at home to Ukraine
- Both of these teams won their Nations League groups and are assured of a playoff place at the very least
- Neither team have been beaten since the World Cup and Serbia are unbeaten in their last seven away games, all of which have went under 2.5 goals
Serbia Preview
Serbia were the odd one out in five in Group B on matchday one as all the other four teams in that section got their campaigns off and running. The Serbs, instead, turned in a very useful performance in a friendly game away to Germany – once again showing how good this team can be on their day. Mladen Krstajic stayed on as head coach from last year’s World Cup and he’s continuing doing an excellent job with his team’s last defeat coming in that final World Cup group game against Brazil in France, last year. Since then, Serbia have won four and drawn three matches between the Nations League and friendly games. It was sufficient to see them top their UNL and win promotion to League B, as well as also securing a playoff spot for the Euros. They would, of course, be delighted to not have to take up that provision as it would mean they’ve finished in the top two and qualify automatically which is well within their reach. Monday’s game will represent their most difficult looking game on paper, and anything gained from it would be a bonus but as the result in Germany proved, they can certainly be competitive against the best in Europe.
Portugal v Serbia Betting Advice
The expectation for both Portugal and Serbia will be qualification and considering their respective showings in the Nations League, there is a good chance that we will be seeing these two in Euro 2020, making Monday’s game an intriguing one. Portugal will be eager to get their first three points of the campaign after the frustration of Friday against Ukraine, but Serbia are going to be confident as they make their first steps to next summer’s finals.
Somewhat remarkably, neither of these teams have lost a match since being eliminated from the 2018 World Cup, which is testament to the form both are in. The draw on Friday put an end to seven straight wins in home Euro qualifiers for Portugal but other than score it was another very strong performance. For the visitors, the last time they lost away from home was October 2017, so they are well adept at getting results on their travels. The last seven of Serbia’s away games have all went under 2.5 goals and although I fancy Portugal to win this, I think it will be very close and prefer siding with a low-scoring game on this occasion.
