PORTUGAL should complete their preparations for Euro 2020 with a comfortable win over Israel at the Estadio Jose Alvalade on Wednesday night.
The reigning European champions are among the favourites to win Euro 2020 (9/1, PaddyPower) and rightly so given that they have a stronger squad than they did when lifting their first-ever major trophy in 2016.
The holders will be looking to repeat the feat and their strength in depth should serve them well in this year's group of death.
Following a goalless draw with Spain last week, Fernando Santos will demand a morale-boosting victory ahead of next Tuesday's Group F curtain-raiser with Hungary.
Israel, meanwhile, suffered Euro 2020 play-off heartbreak in their penalty shootout defeat to Scotland at Hampden Park last October.
However, boss Willibald Ruttensteiner will have been satisfied with Saturday's impressive 3-1 success away at Montenegro.
Outright Betting
Portugal have avoided defeat in 13 of their last 14 matches and the hosts are heavily fancied here at 2/7 with Bet 365.
Israel have triumphed in their last two away matches but the visitors are big underdogs here at 19/2 with 888Sport, with the draw also deemed unlikely at 17/4 with the same firm.
Betting Angles
Portugal are too skinny to side with at the above-mentioned price but backing the hosts to overcome a -1.5 start on the asian handicap looks like a nice way in at 19/20 with Bet 365.
Here we would require Portugal to win the game by a two goal winning-margin, a handicap that Santos' charges have overcome in six of their last 12 international assignments.
What's more, Portugal have lost just one fixture on home turf since 2018 and that was against world champions and Euro 2020 ante-post favourites France.
It's also worth noting that Santos' star-studded side have smashed in 30 goals across their last 13 home matches – an average of 2.3 strikes per 90 minutes.
Indeed, Israel are an improving outfit but they are currently languishing in 85th place in the Fifa World Rankings and they are expected to field a youthful starting XI in Lisbon.
Ruttensteiner's men slumped to a 2-0 defeat at home to Denmark in March and I suspect they could suffer a similar fate on Wednesday night.
With that in mind, I'm more than happy to back the superior hosts to overcome a -1.5 start on the asian handicap at the Estadio Jose Alvalade this midweek.
That train of thought could also see value lie with the 5/6 on offer with Bet 365 for Portugal to win to nil.
Santos' side have been successful thanks to a well-schooled defence and they could post another clean sheet before they begin their bid for glory in Budapest next week.
This International Friendly match between Portugal and Israel will be played on Jun 9, 2021 and kick off at 19:45. Check below for our tipsters best Portugal vs Israel prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
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