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Published on Sep, 05 2024
UEFA Nations League action is back on Thursday with Portugal and Croatia getting League A Group 1 underway at Estadio da Luz. Things were eventful involving these two across two games four years ago in this competition but both sides struggled at UEFA Euro 2024. The Portuguese went out in the quarterfinals while the Croatians did not even make it past the group stage.
No changes have been made post-Germany so Roberto Martinez remains in charge of Portugal and Zlatko Dalic is still overseeing Croatia's team. Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric continue to resist international retirement although Pepe did finally call it a day after this summer. The Portuguese won this back in 2019 and will hope to emulate that with points against Croatia and Scotland needed from consecutive Lisbon dates.
A top-two position could be enough to send Vatreni through ahead of Poland and the Scots and a 2023 final loss to Spain will be motivation for them to go one better this time. An early Euro exit was not expected although a group containing champions Spain and Italy was tough on paper. The FIFA 2026 World Cup will remain the primary objective but a UNL title would be a significant achievement for UEFA's international nearly men.
Here are our storylines, how you can watch the match and more:
How to watch and odds
As well as Portugal and Croatia, League A Group 1 houses Poland and Scotland too with both aiming to recover after disappointing UEFA Euro 2024 showings. The Scots finished bottom of Group A behind Germany and Switzerland while the Poles came last in Group D behind Austria and France. On paper at least, Portugal and Croatia should be securing the two top spots.
Portugal: Martinez has brought in Geovany Quenda, Renato Veiga and Tiago Santos while dispensing with Joao Cancelo, Danilo Pereira and Francisco Conceicao. Pedro Goncalves, Francisco Trincao and goalkeeper Rui Silva have all been recalled but expect the side to remain captained by Cristiano Ronaldo up top.
Possible Portugal XI: Costa; Dalot, Dias, A. Silva, Mendes; Palhinha, Vitinha; B. Silva, Fernandes, Leao; Ronaldo.
Croatia: Domagoj Vida and Marcelo Brozovic have retired while Ivan remains present despite having no club contract at present. Lovro Majer, Josip Stanisic and Martin Erlic are all injured while Duje Caleta-Car is a doubt. Dalic could bring Marin Pongracic, Kristijan Jakic or Marko Pjaca in at right back.
Possible Croatia XI: Livakovic; Pongracic, Sutalo, Gvardiol, Sosa; Modric, L. Sucic, Kovacic; Pasalic, Kramaric, Ivanusec.
Although there is not likely to be much in it and it might not be a classic, expect Portugal to edge Croatia and get off to a winning Nations League start. Pick: Portugal 1, Croatia 0.
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