Portugal Vs Serbia
Portugal Vs Serbia Sunday, 14 November 2021 – 19:45 GMT
World Cup Qualifier
Pick: Both Teams to Score
Odds: 11/10
Bookmaker: PaddyPower
(All betting odds correct at time of writing: 12 November 2021)
Preview: Nothing less than three points at the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon will suffice for Serbia in their last-ditch attempt to usurp Portugal, who have amassed the same number of points but boast a superior goal difference, as Group A winners.
World Cup Qualifying Betting at Betfair
Table of Contents
Portugal – Could they rue result in Ireland?
Thursday’s goalless draw in Dublin was only the second occasion in seven 2022 World Cup qualifiers that Portugal hadn’t managed to register a win (W5 D2). Fortunately for Fernando Santos and his star studded team, it hasn’t affected their chances of qualifying for the tournament itself next winter. ‘A Selecao’ only require a point from this final match-up versus Serbia to seal their progression as Group A winners.
Despite their recent disappointing outcome in Ireland, which halted their five-game winning run, Portugal will be confident of finishing with a flourish. Santos’ men have won all five home matches played in 2021, scoring 15 and conceding only once. Somewhat surprisingly, Diogo Jota remained an unused substitute at the Aviva Stadium. But after such a toothless display, the Liverpool forward is surely in line for a recall.
Key Stat: Seven of the past nine visiting teams to have faced Portugal couldn’t muster up a goal, while six of A Selecao’s last seven victories on home soil were ‘to nil’.
Serbia – All or nothing for Eagles?
While their rivals for top spot in Group A were playing out a dour 0-0 draw over in Ireland on Thursday evening, Serbia were entertaining next year’s World Cup hosts, Qatar, in the Serbian capital of Belgrade. Despite rotating his starting XI, no doubt with Sunday’s crucial make or break tie with Portugal in mind, Dragon Stojkovic oversaw a sixth successive game unbeaten (W5 D1) as his side ran out 4-0 victors.
Aleksandar Mitrovic, Group A’s highest goalscorer with seven strikes thus far, wasn’t among the substitutes against Qatar and hasn’t found the net in his last three qualifiers, after scoring in each of the first four. Yet his form for Fulham is such that he is a certain pick for this. Serbia, without a win in all seven prior head-to-heads, know they must win and are unbeaten across their last six competitive away games.
Key Stat: With 16 goals scored in seven 2022 World Cup qualifiers, Serbia have netted as many as Portugal. However, only four of this total has come away from home.
Don’t miss out on other Betting Tips & Predictions
Click here for more Betting Tips
Portugal Vs Serbia Betting Advice
Meetings between the nations usually throw up instant classics. All seven have produced both teams scoring while four of the five to have taken place since 2015 witnessed a minimum of three goals, with their reverse fixture in Belgrade seeing the spoils shared in a 2-2 scoreline. Portugal actually led 2-0 in that, only to succumb to an inspired second-half performance from the hosts that day.
Portugal Vs Serbia – Key Facts:
- Level on points atop Group A, Portugal’s superior goal difference means the home side only need to draw to be certain of top spot. Serbia, quite simply, have to win.
- All seven previous encounters between these countries has produced fireworks. All seven featured both teams scoring, while five saw at least three match goals.
- Only three players have scored more 2022 World Cup Qualifying goals than the six of Cristiano Ronaldo. However, one of those is Serbia’s Aleksandar Mitrovic (7 goals).
Portugal’s imperious defensive record in home internationals is there for all to see, but this Serbia team, which has netted at least once in all three away qualifiers so far, are primed to cause them problems. Mitrovic has 19 goals already in this season’s EFL Championship. Meanwhile, Portugal have Ronaldo, Jota and Bruno Fernandes to name but a few. Serbia have to win meanwhile, so expect them to go for broke at some stage.
Best Betting Odds – Portugal Vs Serbia
Portugal – 4/9 (Boylesports)
Draw – 7/2 (WilliamHill)
Serbia – 7/1 (Betfair)
