Czech Republic vs. Portugal Betting Tips: 5/1 & 12/1 plays for the Nations League clash in Prague

The Czech Republic take on Portugal on Saturday evening in Prague and we’ve got @AnthonyEadson on hand to preview the game and provide us with his best bets. 

Portugal currently find themselves in second place in League A Group 2, one point below Spain who currently occupy top spot. The hosts are currently third in the table as they look to remain in League A in this competition. 

The Czech Republic have taken four points so far from their opening four matches. Jaroslav Silhavy’s men started the campaign with a win over Switzerland, before a point against Spain, with both of those positive results coming on home soil. They then followed that up with back-to-back defeats in June to Portugal and Spain which now means they have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last six matches in all competitions. 

Portugal have been drawn in Group H for this winter’s World Cup alongside Uruguay, Ghana and South Korea, but will be looking to reach the finals and potentially lift the Nations League trophy for a second time after winning the inaugural renewal in 2019.

Joao Cancelo will miss this game for the visitors after picking up two yellow cards in the tournament so far. Pepe and Raphael Guerreiro will also be absentees after picking up injuries and withdrawing from the squad. 

Patrick Schick is available to start for the Czech Republic for the first time in six months after  returning from a long term injury. Michal Sailek misses out with a hamstring injury, while Petr Sevcik will be assessed on the day of the game after illness. 

With Joao Cancelo suspended for this game I’m expecting Diogo Dalot to slot in at right back for Portugal and I’ll be taking a little bit of the 5/1 on offer with both Betfair and Paddy Power for him to score or assist in the match. 

The 23-year-old has started six Premier League matches this season for Manchester United and is enjoying a good run in the starting XI under new boss Erik ten Hag. This term Dalot is averaging 0.19 non penalty xG + xA per 90 minutes, and he should find himself in plenty of attacking areas for Portugal in the current system Fernando Santos plays. The right-back has just one assist so far to his name this season when looking at his goal contributions, but with the Selecao needing a result to make the finals I’m willing to have a small play on a goal or assist at 5/1. 

For the second selection this evening I’ve opted for an old favourite with Cristiano Ronaldo to score and be carded. This bet landed just over 12 months ago when Portugal took on the Republic of Ireland and then again on a further two occasions for Manchester United last season. 

It’s been a difficult last few months for Ronaldo and one place he always feels at home is with his beloved national side. This will be Ronaldo’s 190th cap for his country, a remarkable achievement. A player you should never write off, I’ll be backing him to score his 118th goal and pick up his 28th booking for Portugal in Prague on Saturday. 

Please gamble responsibly.