Portugal vs Sweden Prediction & Betting Tips

International friendlies are back for the first international break of 2024 as Portugal play hosts to Sweden.

Date: 21/03/2024

Kick-off time: 19:45

Venue: Estádio Dom Afonso Henriques, Portugal

With the international friendlies back on our TV screens for this international break, Portugal are aiming to further establish themselves as one of the top teams heading into the Euro 2024. The champions from the 2016 edition had a faultless campaign and put on record the best run throughout the eight games played. Those eight games were also the first eight of the Roberto Martinez era, meaning he heads into this game with a 100% record as Portugal's head coach.

This winning run throughout the campaign also saw Cristiano Ronaldo score 10 times and finish second to only Romelu Lukaku as the top scorer in the qualifiers. In fact, his 10 finishes equalled to a third of the overall goals scored in those matches, and with just two goals let in as well, the Euro 2016 champions managed to win every game and finish as the top-ranked side, ahead of the likes of Portugal, France, Spain, Belgium and England.

As for Sweden, they ended up in port three of the qualifiers, but at the very least, have made it to another European campaign. On the other hand, they finished with just three wins from the eight games and have only four losses on the board with 12 goals let in and 14 conceded. This saw them finish behind Austria and Belgium in Group F.

Rui Patricio has been called up once again and should play once more and likely get his 108th cap this international break. Diogo Costa of Porto will challenge that, however. Pepe is still getting called up to the Portugal squad and as the vice-captain, he will feature once more from the back and get his 134th cap for his country. Danilo Pereira and Raphael Guerreiro could feature too, alongside Ruben Dias. Bernado Silva, Ruben Neves and Bruno Fernandes tend to occupy the midfield ranks and this should be the same here. Cristiano Ronaldo is back with his country once again and will get his 206th cap and he also has 128 goals. Joao Felix has dropped off in form at Barcelona this season in recent times but is also like to feature in this one, alongside Goncalo Ramos or Rafael Leao. There are some big names who have missed out on call-ups, such as Renato Sanches after a poor season with Roma and Joao Mario, who has now retired from international football. Diogo Jota has not made the cut due to injury. Ricardo Horta and Pedro Neto have also missed out

Portugal Squad

Goalkeepers: Diego Costa, Jose SA, Rui Patricio

Defenders: Antonio Silva, Diogo Leite, Goncalo Inacio, Joao Mario, Joao Cancelo, Diogol Dalot, Pepe, Nelson Semedo, Nuno Mendes, Raphael Guerreiro, Ruben Dias

Midfielders: Toti Gomes, Bruno Fernandes, Joao Palhinha, Joao Neves, Matheus Nunes, Otavio, Ruben Neves, Vitinha, Bruma, Bernardo Silva

Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo, Francisco Trincao, Conceicao, Goncalo Ramos, Joao Felix, Jota Silva, Rafael Leao

Robin Olsen will likely get his 71st cap this international break and he is expected to feature here. Victor Lindelof of Manchester United is the captain these days and he will feature here as well, likely alongside Emil Krafth Ludwig Augustinsson and Linus Wahlqvist. Emil Forsberg is now with the New York Red Bulls and is now the vice-captain too - he should feature in midfield. Jens Cajuste, Mattis Svanberg and Samuel Gustafson should all feature. Alexander Isak has also made the cut despite injury concerns, and he should feature alongside Dejan Kulusevski and the in-form Sporting Lisbon striker, Viktor Gyokeres.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has also retired now, while Viktor Claesson and Robin Quaison have not made the cut. Albin Ekdal has also retired, and Martin Olsson and Ken Sema have not been fit to start.

Sweden Squad

Goalkeepers: Viktor Johansson, Kristoffer Nordfeldt, Robin Olsen

Defenders: Ludwig Augustinsson Hjalmar Ekdal, Gabriel Gudmundsson, Isak Hein, Emli Holm, Emil Krafth, Vcitor Nelson Lindelof, Carl Starfelt, Linus Wahiquvist Egnell

Midfielders: Jens Cajuste, Emil Forsberg, Samuel Gustafson, Jasper Karlstrom, Hugo Larsson, Gustaf Nilsson Simon Olsson Jacob Ondrejka Anton Saletros, Mathias Svanberg

Forwards: Viktor Gyokeres, Alexander Issak, Anthony Elanga Dejan Kulusevski

As alluded to, the form of Portugal has been incredible. Roberto Martinez has not lost a single game or even drawn one, and from the first 10 outings, he has eased into Euro 2024 and put Portugal right up there with the likes of England and France.

Further results in the Nations League has seen Martinez also win in that competition, and the 10 points puts them one behind Spain in the race for top spot. However, they have managed to lose twice in the Nations League and draw just once - none of those dropped points came under Martinez.

In that last international break in November, Portugal managed to beat Liechtenstein and Iceland 2-0 each after also beating Bosnia and Herzegovina 5-0. The only two goals they let in during that qualifying campaign was against Slovakia in a 3-2 defeat.

Sweden were in action back in January and edged past Estonia, and although that saw them collect another win, they should have really bagged a few more goals. They also scored twice against Estonia in the qualifiers on matchday 10 where Viktor Claesson and Emil Forsberg netted goals each.

In reality, Portugal should coast to a victory. They have had one of the most impressive campaigns throughout the Euro 2024 qualifiers, and there is nothing to suggest they won't get the job done in this game. The Euro 2016 champions are also at home in this game, and Roberto Martinez so far has 10 wins from his 10 games in charge of them.

Footy Accumulators is heading for a 3-1 win for Portugal.

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Portugal vs Sweden is not being televised, but you can find live updates for every goal on our Twitter page.

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