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Big Game Focus: Portugal v Netherlands

Soccer Football - UEFA Nations League Semi Final - Portugal v Switzerland - Estadio do Dragao, Porto, Portugal - June 5, 2019 Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring their third goal to complete his hat-trick REUTERS/Susana Vera

 

Portugal and the Netherlands meet in the first-ever UEFA Nations League final after both teams registered convincing victories in the semi-final over Switzerland and England respectively. Who will lift the inaugural UEFA Nations League title? Bet on the UEFA Nations League here.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored a sensational hat-trick to inspire Portugal to an impressive 3-1 win over Switzerland in the semi-final. The Juventus attacker is hitting form at the right moment and will have to deliver the same performance to get past the formidable Dutch defence.

The Dutch needed extra time to dispatch a determined England side 3-1. However, their two winning goals came from errors by England defenders but Ronald Koeman will take that. He’s hoping that a centre-back pairing of Virgil Van Dijk and Matthijs de Ligt, who’ve made them impregnable, can help them end their trophy drought.

Betting preview

Portugal have lost just once at home since June 2017 in all competitions. Coincidentally, the last team to beat was the Netherlands in March 2018. Oranje have not won any of their last away games. Portugal’s home advantage together with Cristiano Ronaldo match-winning ability makes them heavy favourites. Therefore, you can back a Home Win at odds of 2.30.

Three of the last five encounters between these two European giants has seen at least three goals.  Both these teams’ semi-final games saw Over 2.5 Goals. Therefore, odds of 2.00 for Over 2.5 Goals look attractive.

34-year old Cristiano Ronaldo demonstrated that he can still deliver on the big stage. The Portuguese forward scored a hat-trick in the semi-final and the Dutch will have to do an impossible job of keeping him quiet. His three goals saw him extend his international goals to 88 in 157 appearances. Therefore you can back Cristiano Ronaldo as Anytime Goalscorer at odds of 1.90.

Team news

Both teams have no fresh injury concerns.

Possible line-ups

Portugal: Patricio, Semedo, Dias, Pepe, Guerreiro, Carvalho, Neves, Fernandes, Silva, Ronaldo, Felix

Netherlands: Cillessen, Dumfries, De Ligt, Van Dijk, Blind, de Jong, Van de Beek, Wijnaldum, Promes, Memphis, Bergwijn

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