Portugal vs Poland

Estadio do Dragao sets the stage for a handsomely-looking UEFA Nations League match between Portugal and Poland.

Portugal’s 15th meeting with Poland and seventh since 2007, a sequence which saw them avoid defeat in all six encounters (W3, D3), including a 3-1 win in October’s reverse fixture, could lock down their top-table finish in Group A1. After a three-game winning start to the ongoing Nations League campaign, Roberto Martinez’s side shared the spoils with Scotland in a frustrating 0-0 draw last time out but still maintained a three-point lead on runners-up Croatia. Virtually unplayable at home, the Euro 2016 winners have only lost two of their 21 home outings since September 2021 (W19), underscoring their strong pre-match favoritism. However, this clash could still produce some drama, considering both Portugal’s home wins in the Nations League this term have come via an identical 2-1 scoreline.

In the meantime, Poland’s chances of securing a playoff berth are hanging by a thread, even though they overhauled a two-goal deficit to hold Croatia to a goal-glutted 3-3 home draw last time out. With just one win from four Group A1 fixtures (D1, L2), they trail the Croats by three points, meaning anything other than a win in Porto would likely end their qualification hopes. Despite their form wobble, the Poles have been fun to watch, with three of their four post-Euro 2024 fixtures featuring over 3.5 goals and both teams on the scoresheet, highlighting the potential for a high-scoring affair. An upset at the Dragao isn’t beyond Poland, considering they’ve only lost one away game across the past 13 months (W3, D1).