Portugal vs Ukraine Predictions

Jon Wilde 19 Mar 2019

Portugal vs Ukraine predictions for their European Championship qualifier on Friday
We are backing Portugal to begin their campaign with a narrow victory
Join bet365 and get up to £100 in bet credits

Portugal vs Ukraine Match Prediction

A £10 bet returns £18 with Bet365

18+. T&Cs Apply. begambleaware.org

£100 in Bet Credits Min Deposit £5

Portugal to win and under 3.5 goals in the match 5/6

18+. T&Cs Apply. begambleaware.org

Portugal vs Ukraine Match Info

Date: Friday March 22 2019
Kick-off time: 7.45pm GMT
Venue: Estadio da Luz, Lisbon

Portugal vs Ukraine Head-To-Head Record

2 previous matches

November 9 1996: Portugal 1-0 Ukraine
October 5 1996: Ukraine 2-1 Portugal

Portugal vs Ukraine Stats

Portugal’s only defeat in their last 13 matches was in the World Cup round-of-16 against Uruguay
They are unbeaten in their latest 10 home games
Ukraine have lost only two of their last 12 matches

Portugal vs Ukraine Match Preview

Portugal begin the defence of their European Championship crown against a Ukraine team who are very much back on an upward curve.

The Portuguese thwarted hosts France in the final of Euro 2016, substitute Eder scoring the only goal of the match in extra time as Cristiano Ronaldo, who limped off injured in the first half, helped to orchestrate things from the touchline alongside manager Fernando Santos.

Both Santos and skipper Ronaldo remain in place within the Portugal set-up – although Eder has been omitted from this squad – as they set out to try and retain their title, already this term having reached the semi-finals of the new UEFA Nations League which they will host.

Results remain strong for Portugal, with the only significant disappointment of late being their last-16 exit to Uruguay at the World Cup, and Santos has named an experienced squad here which also includes exciting Benfica youngster Joao Felix.

Ukraine will be no pushovers, however, for under head coach Andriy Shevchenko they had an excellent Nations League campaign, securing promotion to the top tier before losing their last match away to Slovakia.

Shevchenko has named nine players from his former club Dinamo Kiev for the first two qualifiers against Portugal and Luxembourg, although he is, of course, missing injured talisman Andriy Yarmolenko who had made a useful start to his West Ham United career.

This could be a tight contest, but with Ronaldo expected to play and Portugal’s contingent of English-based stars such as Bernardo Silva also in good form, a narrow home win looks the right bet.

MORE: Visit our Euro 2020 predictions page for the latest tips on the next round of matches. Also, planning a goalscorer bet? Visit our Anytime Goalscorer Tips page to find our latest selection.