Serbia Vs Portugal
Serbia Vs Portugal Saturday 27th February 2021 – 19:45
World Cup Qualifier
Pick: Both Teams to Score
Odds: 20/23
Bookmaker: Betfair
(All betting odds correct at time of writing: 25th March 2021)
Preview: In a repeat of their tussles from Euro 2020 qualifying, Serbia and Portugal renew their rivalry – one which has always produced an abundance of goalmouth entertainment – in Belgrade for this World Cup 2022 qualifier.
World Cup 2022 Qualifying Betting at Bet365
Table of Contents
Serbia – Keeping Mitrovic quiet a challenge?
On a night when many of Europe’s renowned goalscorers fluffed their lines, it was left to Alexsandr Mitrovic to show his peers how it is done. On Wednesday, the imposing forward found the back of the net twice – as many as he has managed across thirteen club appearances for Fulham in the Premier League this season – to help Serbia open their accounts in Group A with a 3-2 win at home to Republic of Ireland.
Those three points were a lot more hard-earned than perhaps even they might have anticipated, falling behind early doors as they conceded twice to a side which had previously gone seven internationals without scoring. However, the combination of Mitrovic and especially Dusan Tadic, the latter providing the assist for all three goals, ensured a winning start to World Cup qualifying.
The Eagles are now unbeaten in seven (W2 D5) since losing narrowly to Hungary in Belgrade in a home Nations League fixture in October 2020. Meanwhile, since exiting the 2018 World Cup finals at the group stage, Serbia have tasted defeat in just two of thirteen home games (W7 D4 L2) – one of them to Portugal in a Euro 2020 qualifier in September 2019. Both teams scored in nine.
Portugal – Ronaldo to atone for midweek blank?
Although they were the designated home team, Portugal contested their opening World Cup qualifier at a neutral venue, and they were largely frustrated by an obstinate Azerbaijan who only fell to a 1-0 defeat courtesy of an unfortunate own goal. Possibly the most frustrated of all, though, was Cristiano Ronaldo. The Juventus striker, despite being well acquainted with the Allianz Arena venue, couldn’t add to his 102 international goals.
By most accounts, the Portuguese were deserving of their win first time out. It should have been by a wider margin though. Ronaldo & Co peppered the visiting goal, landing 14 shots on target, but were ultimately indebted to a defensive mix-up for the three points that ensured they joined Saturday’s opponent at the Group A summit.
Fernando Santos’ men will assume the outright lead, however, with a third successive win in Belgrade. A Seleção are still to lose a competitive meeting with Serbia, in fact, recording 2-1 and 4-2 victories as the visiting team in 2015 and 2019 respectively. They are also in excellent form in general. A 1-0 loss to France in Lisbon during last year’s Nations League the only blemish in their past eleven fixtures (W8 D2).
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Serbia Vs Portugal Betting Advice
On the back of winning introductions to World Cup 2022 qualifying, these teams are duelling for the early lead in Group A. Crucially, neither were altogether convincing first time out. Serbia were bitten twice by a previously toothless Ireland while Portugal were wasteful in their narrow victory over Azerbaijan. It is the latter, though, who begin as favourites – in no small part due to their exemplary head-to-head record.
Serbia Vs Portugal – Key Facts:
- All six competitive matches between these nations has produced goals for both teams. Portugal prevailed 4-2 on their most recent visit to Belgrade, in September 2019.
- Nine of the past twelve Serbian home matches featured both teams among the goals. However, Portugal boast clean sheets in six of their last eight fixtures.
- During Euro 2020 Qualifying, Serbia forward Alexandar Mitrovic scored in all four home fixtures, including against Portugal, and netted a brace in Wednesday’s win in Belgrade over Ireland.
Portugal are unbeaten in six prior meetings, recording wins in three of the last four including each of the past two played here in Belgrade. All six of these encounters, meanwhile, produced both teams to score. That bet has landed in nine of the last twelve home games for Serbia, who averaged 2.4 goals across this period. Portugal do boast clean sheets in six of the last eight games, but will do well to record another here.
Best Betting Odds – Serbia Vs Portugal
Serbia – 18/5 (Betfair)
Draw – 14/5 (BetVictor)
Portugal – 4/5 (BetFred)
