Portugal v Ukraine Betting Tips: 1 AH-1, 2019-03-22

Euro Qualifiers Tips

PORTUGAL v UKRAINE
European Championship Qualifiers
Friday 22nd March 2019
Kickoff: 1945hrs
Pick: Portugal AH-1
Bookmaker: Marathonbet
Odds: 1.78 (odds taken at 00:09 GMT, 20 Mar 2019)

Onto Group B and Portugal face one of their main rivals, Ukraine, in these European Championship qualifiers at their Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica in Lisbon as the betting tips continue on Friday night with Portugal keen to continue their upward trajectory.

European Championship Betting at Marathonbet

Portugal Prediction

Portugal underlined their continued progress under manager Fernando Santos as they emerged as winners of their Nations League group which also consisted of Italy and Poland in a strong Group 3 in League A of the inaugural competition.

The Portuguese remained unbeaten throughout the group stage by recording back-to-back wins to start their campaign off in style with victories over Italy and Poland winning 1-0 and 3-2 before securing points in draws against the same opposition 0-0 and 1-1 to get over the line and finished three points ahead of runners-up, Italy.

So often in the past, Portugal would have blown a good start to a campaign, and perhaps we’re now seeing a more stable and consistent outfit now, while their talisman, Cristiano Ronaldo continues to lead from the front.

With just one defeat from their last 12 home matches in all competitions, this certainly appears to be the case with their one blot on their copy-book being a 3-0 loss against a rejuvenated Netherlands team in March last year. Notable wins over Switzerland and Italy though prove that Portugal are a force to be reckoned with.

 

Key-Facts – Portugal v Ukraine

  • Portugal have lost just 1 of their last 12 matches at home in all competitions
  • Ukraine suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat at Slovakia in their last competitive match
  • These two teams last met over 22 years ago – Portugal won 1-0

 

Ukraine Prediction

Ukraine gained promotion from League B as they topped Group 1 by a three point margin over runners-up Czech Republic and they’ll be amongst the League A contingent next time out, but they’ll now turn their attentions to the European Championship qualifiers where they face a tough opening group match away to Portugal at Lisbon on Friday night.

Ukraine enjoyed near dominance over their Nations League Group 1 rivals, Czech Republic and bottom nation, Slovakia, as the visitors raced to three wins on the trot to start their campaign off in explosive fashion by recording home and away wins over Czech Republic 1-0 and 2-1 respectively along with a 1-0 home win over Slovakia.

Although they were home and hosed by this time, they then fell to a worryingly heavy 4-1 defeat away at Slovakia in their final group match which doesn’t set them up very well to face Portugal on the road here.

The visitors are unbeaten in their last nine matches on their travels though overall, which will give them a boost ahead of this tough opening match, but it remains to be seen how they’ll cope against an obvious step up in quality in Lisbon.

Betting Tips Verdict

Portugal have proved they’re no longer amongst the ‘also-rans’ and should see off Ukraine in this opening match.