Our prediction for this match:
Portugal
Match Time & Date:
08/06/2024
18:45
Prediction: 2-1
Croatia
All eyes will be on Estadio Nacional do Jamor when Portugal and Croatia face each other in an eagerly-awaited friendly. Portugal aim to build on a 4-2 win over Finland and there is every chance Cristiano Ronaldo will lead the line for the hosts this time out. As both Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes return to the starting XI as well, home win should be considered.
Zlatko Dalic’s men, on the other hand, faced no difficulties in a 3-0 win over North Macedonia, but they will have a mountain to climb in Lisbon. In their last meeting in a competitive match Portugal defeated Croatia 3-2 and we predict that history is going to repeat itself. Real Madrid ace Luka Modric should play some part in Saturday’s clash after he was given a rest against North Macedonia, with Ante Budimir pushing for a start as well. Nikola Vlasic is unlikely to be risked.
Highlighted Player (Luka Modric):
Luka Modric is regarded as one of the best central midfielders in world football. The Croatian ace is a product of Dinamo Zagreb’s youth school and it has to be noted that he played 94 league games for the Modri between 2003 and 2008. In 2008 he signed a six-year deal with Tottenham Hotspur for a fee of £16.5 million.
Luka made his Tottenham debut on 16 August, 2008 in a 2-1 loss to Middlesbrough at Riverside Stadium. The Croatian star scored only 13 goals in 127 league appearances for the Spurs, but he is well known for his brilliant passing. In 2012 he signed for Real Madrid for a fee of £30 million and he made his debut against Barcelona in the 2012 Spanish Super Cup, return leg.
Modric quickly established himself as a first-team regular and, no doubt, he helped the capital club win two Champions League trophies (2013/2014, 2015/2016). You should bear in mind that he was named Croatian Footballer of the Year in 2007, 2008, 2011 and 2014.
Highlighted Team (Portugal):
Portugal started competing at the biggest stage in the 1930’s, but they had to wait for almost seventy years to establish themselves as a top side. The third place finish at the 1966 World Cup was a one-off result as the Selecao needed another 40 years to get past the group stage, reaching the semi-finals at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
Portugal enjoyed more success on the continent, finishing third at the 1984, 2000 and 2012 European Championships, while losing in the final to Greece at the Euro 2004 that was held on home soil. Despite being able to count on one of world’s best ever footballers Cristiano Ronaldo, the Selecao have yet to lift a major trophy and they will not have too many opportunities to do so before the Real Madrid superstar retires.
Eusebio remains the most famous footballer to have played for Portugal, while Luis Figo, Simao Sabrosa, Pedro Pauleta, Rui Costa and Nani are also worth mention. The Selecao currently boast an impressive pool of world-class talent and it should not be long before they end the trophy drought.
Arsenal 
Newcastle 
Eldense 
Valencia 
Athletic Bilbao 
Barcelona
Tottenham
Liverpool
Real Madrid 
Mallorca
Sheffield United 
Cardiff 
