Nations League Final Betting Tips: Portugal vs Spain
Spain continued their defence of the Nations League with Thursday’s extraordinary 5-4 victory over France – and they are now favourites to overcome Portugal in the tournament final.
The Iberian rivals are preparing to slug it out at the Allianz Arena in Munich at 8pm on Sunday, with the winning side assured of becoming the first team to accumulate two Nations League titles.
Luis de la Fuente led Spain to Euro 2024 glory last summer and his team are 22/25 to prevail without the need for extra time or penalties. Portugal are 11/4 to win within normal time and the draw – meaning extra time and potentially penalties – is available to back at 5/2.
Team news
Spain went into the week without Ferran Torres, who has undergone surgery for appendicitis.
Mikel Oyarzabal led the attack in the 5-4 win over France, with Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams supporting. De la Fuente may be keen to stick with the bulk of his midweek starting XI.
Cristiano Ronaldo won his 220th cap in the 2-1 victory over Germany and should continue to captain the side, but there may be an adjustment in midfield with Vitinha pushing for a recall to the starting line-up.
Tip 1 – Portugal, draw no bet @ 33/20
Portugal upset the odds with a 2-1 victory over Germany in Wednesday’s Nations League semi-final and they can defy their underdog status against Spain by lifting the trophy for a second time.
Spain are getting a lot of respect from the markets and are odds-on to despatch Portugal without need of extra-time or penalties.
But there is a history of tight matches between the teams with nine draws occurring within the last 15 contests.
They last locked horns in a Nations League group stage match in Braga in September 2022 when Alvaro Morata’s goal secured Spain a 1-0 victory.
However, the previous four matches were drawn and there is every chance of another close match being played out at the Allianz Arena, where Portugal have had the advantage of getting used to the conditions.
Portugal were slow into their stride against Germany and it was no great surprise when they fell behind to Florian Wirtz’s 48th-minute goal.
But they soon responded with goals from Francisco Conceicao and Cristiano Ronaldo and fashioned some decent chances to increase their margin of victory.
Roberto Martinez’s side won the shot count 17 to nine against Germany but Spain were beaten on the shot statistics against France (16 to 24) despite winning the game 5-4.
In truth it was a reasonably comfortable night for Spain, who led 4-0 and 5-1 before their opponents scored three times after the 78th minute.
But La Roja are likely to be drawn into a tighter contest by Portugal, who look overpriced to prevail.
Tip 2 – Cristiano Ronaldo to score anytime @ 17/10
The Nations League final offers a chance for another special chapter in the career of Cristiano Ronaldo, who is on a mission to score more than 1,000 goals.
Ronaldo turned 40 in February but continues to play a leading role for Portugal and popped up with the winning strike against Germany on Wednesday.
The veteran was a key element of Portugal’s triumphs at Euro 2016 and the 2018-19 Nations League and he can play a decisive role at the weekend by getting on the scoresheet.
Nations League final odds:
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation