Portugal have taken full advantage of Nations League Group A1, winning their opening three matches, and they head to Hampden Park to put that 100 per cent record on the line against Scotland on Tuesday.
Roberto Martínez’s side have responded well to their quarter-final exit at Euro 24 to France, whereas Scotland are in a rut and seeking some solace after losing each of their three Nations League assignments.
Portugal came from a goal down to defeat Scotland 2-1 in Lisbon in September and they will be expected to back up that form when the pair renew their rivalry in Glasgow.
- PORTUGAL TO WIN & OVER 2.5 GOALS
- BRUNO FERNANDES TO SCORE OR ASSIST
- OVER 4.5 CARDS
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Scotland’s Struggles Set To Continue
Scotland have won only one of their 15 internationals since September last year and that sole success came away at lowly-ranked Gibraltar.
That is far from the ideal circumstances for a visit from highflying Portugal, especially when you consider that Scotland must prepare for battle without Lawrence Shankland, Greg Taylor, John McGinn, James Forrest and Kieran Tierney.
That weakens the Tartan Army somewhat and they have suffered defeat in their opening three Nations League fixtures, not only losing in Portugal, but also going down in Croatia and at home to Poland.
However, Scotland have scored in each of those three reverses and they can cause problems for a Portugal side that has conceded at home to the Tartan Army as well as in their victories over Croatia and Poland.
So this could be an entertaining fixture and it should go to form, with Portugal fancied to take full advantage of a Scottish rearguard that has been breached 16 times across their last seven internationals.
PORTUGAL TO WIN & OVER 2.5 GOALS
Fernandes May Play A Starring Role
Bruno Fernandes’s performances for Manchester United this season may have left a little to be desired but he continues to shine for Portugal and he could have a key role to play against Scotland.
Fernandes scored the equalising goal in Portugal’s 2-1 win at home to Scotland last month and he has also grabbed assists in their other two wins over Croatia and Poland.
The 30-year-old has scored nine times in his last 19 caps for his country, while he has chipped in with 10 more assists over that same period, suggesting that he may have a big part to play on proceedings at Hampden Park.
BRUNO FERNANDES TO SCORE OR ASSIST
Card Count Could Go Through The Roof
There were three bookings for each side when Portugal won 2-1 against Scotland in Lisbon last month and it could be another fiery encounter with push now coming to shove for the winless Tartan Army.
Scottish supporters will be demanding a lot from their side in Glasgow and that may contribute to a physical affair, with Belgian referee Lawrence Visser having no choice but to go to his pocket.
There were also five cards given in Portugal’s 3-1 win at Poland on Saturday, while Visser handed out six bookings when he took charge of his only Nations League game this season, as Luxembourg hosted Belarus in September.
OVER 4.5 CARDS
