Portugal are aiming to maintain their 100% start to the European Championship qualifiers as they host Bosnia-Herzegovina in a Group J fixture on Saturday. The former European champions have looked imperious so far and look set for a comfortable victory over the Bosnians.
It had been a blistering start to the qualifiers for Portugal, who have steamrolled their opponents so far. They began with a 4-0 victory over Liechtenstein before running out 6-0 winners in Luxembourg with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring four goals across both fixtures.
New manager Roberto Martinez is clearly taking a different approach to Fernando Santos’ trademark conservative style as Portugal have been electric going forward. The former European champions have scored 10 goals in just two matches, although it is to be expected, given the quality of the teams faced.
Martinez has a reputation for not being overly concerned with defensive matters, although Portugal’s two clean sheets will be particularly pleasing. However, given the quality of opponents faced, they are yet to be troubled, with the Bosnians expected to provide a stern test.
It has been a mixed start for Bosnia-Herzegovina in the qualifiers with a win and a defeat from their opening two matches. They began with a 3-0 victory over Iceland before falling 2-0 in Slovakia in their previous fixture.
Bosnia-Herzegovina will be keen to put the defeat in Slovakia behind them and focus on the victory over Iceland. Faruk Hadzibegic’s men showed some of their attacking prowess with Rade Krunic netting both goals.
However, the defeat to Slovakia highlights a poor record on their travels as the Bosnians have won just once in their last 13 away matches, a run stretching back to 2020. That run has also exposed their defensive frailties and they have conceded six goals in their last two away matches.
How the bookies view it
The bookies have installed Portugal as overwhelming favourites with a home win priced at 1/5 with William Hill. An unlikely victory for Bosnia-Herzegovina is valued at 16/1 by BetVictor while a draw is set at 25/4 by 10bet.
Head to head
Portugal have never lost to Bosnia-Herzegovina, claiming three wins and a draw from four previous matches. The last meeting between both teams was a Euro 2012 qualifier which the Portuguese won 6-2 with Ronaldo netting a brace.
Players to watch
Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Saudi Arabia has not diminished his influence in the national team with the striker already netting four goals in the qualifiers. He also netted a brace the last time Portugal faced the Bosnians and is priced at 4/9 by bet365 to score anytime.
Bosnia-Herzegovina certainly have the attacking quality to trouble the Portuguese and having netted a brace against Iceland Rade Krunic could be worth keeping an eye on at 16/1 with bet365. Edin Dzeko is the Bosnian all-time leading scorer and could also be backed to find the net at 7/2 with bet365.
Anything else catch the eye?
With Bosnia boasting the quality to trouble Portugal, both teams could be backed to score at 11/8 by bet365. The Portuguese have seen over 3.5 goals in their two matches so far and a repeat is priced at 11/4 by Unibet while Paddy Power is offering evens for over 2.5 goals.
Portugal are likely to be dominant on Saturday and could be backed in the -2 handicap market at 13/8 with Unibet while a win in both halves could also be on the cards at 7/5 with BoyleSports.
Ronaldo opened the scoring last time out in Luxembourg and can be backed to grab the first goal on Saturday at 15/8 with bet365.
This Euro 2024 match between Portugal and Bosnia-Herzegovina will be played on Jun 17, 2023 and kick off at 19:45. Check below for our tipsters best Portugal vs Bosnia-Herzegovina prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
