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Following their first-leg defeat in the UEFA Nations League 2024/25, Portugal returns home to face Denmark, with pixiejars.com anticipating a decisive victory for the Seleção. The pressure is on, and the stage is set for a thrilling encounter.
Quarter-Finals, League A UEFA Nations League 2024/25 – March 24, 2025, 02:45 (GMT+2)
Portugal vs. Denmark: Match Preview and Prediction
Supercomputers give Portugal a 65% chance of winning, while Denmark’s odds stand at just 15%, with a draw also at 15%. This suggests a likely comfortable victory for Portugal, potentially overturning the deficit from the first leg.
First Leg Recap and Second Leg Expectations
Portugal suffered a narrow defeat away to Denmark in the first leg of their UEFA Nations League quarter-final tie. Despite boasting a midfield trio of Neves, Vitinha, and Bruno Fernandes – all in excellent club form – the Seleção struggled to control the game. Up against a dynamic Danish midfield at Parken Stadium, Portugal were second best and unable to find an equalizer. Back on home turf at the José Alvalade Stadium, nothing less than a resounding victory and a place in the semi-finals will satisfy Ronaldo and his teammates.
Denmark, meanwhile, put in a disciplined and effective performance, expertly orchestrated by coach Brian Riemer. Their 3-5-2 formation, with its energetic midfield spearheaded by Hjulmand and Norgaard, allowed them to match Portugal stride for stride. Had Eriksen converted his penalty opportunity, the Danes could have taken an even more commanding lead into the second leg. Now, their challenge lies in protecting that advantage on Portuguese soil.
Portugal’s Quest for Redemption
Fueled by the desire to overturn the first-leg deficit, Portugal are expected to adopt an aggressive, attacking approach from the outset. With a squad brimming with individual talent and the roar of the home crowd behind them, Roberto Martinez and his men have every reason to be confident. Although they failed to breach the Danish defense in the first leg, there’s a strong belief that Portugal will quickly put that disappointment behind them and secure a convincing win to progress to the semi-finals.
Portugal vs. Denmark: Detailed Predictions
Goals Prediction
Three of the last five matches involving both Portugal and Denmark have seen under 2.5 goals. Furthermore, the last three meetings between these two sides have produced just a single goal each. With Denmark likely to adopt a defensive posture to protect their lead, it’s anticipated that this encounter will also be a low-scoring affair, with a maximum of two goals.
Corners Prediction
Three of the last four encounters between these teams have yielded at least 13 corners. Portugal and Denmark have also averaged 6 and 4.8 corners per game, respectively, in their last five outings. Based on these statistics, we predict a minimum of nine corners in this match.
Yellow Cards Prediction
Portugal and Denmark have accumulated 11 and 12 yellow cards respectively in their last five matches. While the first leg between the two sides was relatively tame, with only two yellow cards shown, the high stakes of this second leg suggest a more fiercely contested affair. We anticipate a minimum of four yellow cards in this crucial encounter.
Match Result Prediction
Portugal 2-0 Denmark
Team News and Predicted Lineups
Team News
Portugal: Full squad available.
Denmark: Full squad available.
Predicted Lineups
Portugal: Costa; Dalot, Veiga, Dias, Mendes; Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes, Neves; Leao, Ronaldo, Neto.
Denmark: Schmeichel; Kristensen, Vestergaard, Andersen; Isaksen, Hjulmand, Eriksen, Norgaard, Maehle; Biereth, Lindstrom.
Form and Head-to-Head Record
Recent Form
Portugal: In their last five matches, Portugal have won two, drawn two, and lost one, scoring nine goals and conceding four.
Denmark: In their last five matches, Denmark have won one, drawn two, and lost two, scoring four goals and conceding five.
Head-to-Head Record
In their last five meetings, Portugal have won three and lost two, mirroring Denmark’s record of two wins and three losses.
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