Portugal v Croatia Betting Tips: Latest odds, team news, preview and predictions

Despite Cristiano Ronaldo missing from the Portugal squad, we expect the European champions' recent trend of high scoring friendlies to continue

World Cup runners-up Croatia travel to the Estadio Do Algarve on Thursday evening to face the side that knocked them out of Euro 2016 in the last 16.

Ricardo Quaresma's late extra-time strike was enough to see Portugal progress on their way to the title, meaning both of these sides have enjoyed considerable success on the international stage in the last couple of years.

Latest odds

Portugal's recent record in friendly matches has been mixed with the side winning just two of their last five home friendlies.

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bet365 price them at 7/5 (2.40) to record another success while Croatia can be backed at 19/10 (2.90) and the draw is offered at 9/4 (3.25).

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Team news

Cristiano Ronaldo is not included in the Portugal squad for the game, with youthful pair Andre Silva and Goncalo Guedes likely to feature up front for the European champions.

Croatia have called up both Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic despite suggestions that they could retire after the World Cup, and if Rakitic features it will be his 100th cap.

Preview

Portugal are relatively used to contesting friendly matches without Ronaldo and the forward has only contributed three of the side's last 21 goals in non-competitive games.

His absence will not necessarily be felt too keenly although Croatia will be stronger opponents than Portugal usually face in friendlies.

Fernando Santos' side have netted over 1.5 goals in eight of their last 11 friendlies and a repeat is priced at 13/8 (2.62), while in 2018 Croatia have conceded two goals in two of the three friendlies they have contested on foreign soil.

Tips and predictions

There should be plenty of interest in the price of 27/20 (2.35) for over 2.5 goals in the game, with this selection proving a regular winner in Portuguese friendlies.

Nine of the last 11 competitive games that Portugal have contested have seen at least three goals, and the priced quoted for a repeat seems to offer punters serious value.

Prices correct at the time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.