Portugal vs Slovakia prediction, odds, betting tips and best bets for Euro 2024 qualifying match

The Sporting News
 
Portugal vs Slovakia prediction, odds, betting tips and best bets for Euro 2024 qualifying match

It's a case of win and in for Portugal in their latest UEFA European Championship qualifying match as they take on Slovakia at Estadio do Dragao in Porto.

After winning six out of six in Group J, Portugal will want to remain perfect here especially as they're still yet to even concede a goal. They're one of only two sides to boast that record, along with France.

With 24 goals scored, they are also the top scorers in qualifying and will want to head to next summer's tournament in the best possible form, starting with another win over visiting Slovakia.

Cristiano Ronaldo and company won their prior encounter during this qualification cycle 1-0 back in September and will hope that another three-point haul can be achieved in this latest encounter.

Victory would mean next week's game with Bosnia and Herzegovina would become almost academic and give coach Roberto Martinez the chance to give some fringe players the opportunity to impress.

Portugal vs Slovakia match facts

  • Date: Friday, October 13, 2023
  • Kickoff Time: 8:45 p.m. local (2:45 p.m. ET / 11:45 a.m. PT)
  • Location: Estadio do Dragao (Porto, Portugal)
  • Official: Tasos Sidiropoulos
  • Last meeting: Slovakia 0-1 Portugal (September 8, 2022 — UEFA European Championship qualifying)

Portugal vs Slovakia prediction, odds

  • Moneyline lean: Portugal to win (-385)
  • Score prediction: Portugal 3-0 Slovakia

Portugal vs Slovakia best bet

  • Pick: Portugal winning at HT and FT
  • Odds: -125 (BetMGM)

As always, when it comes to matches like this with such a big favourite, you often have to delve deep to find some value.

In this instance, the three main markets on result, both teams to score and over/under 2.5 goals in the match don't offer much, so we've plumped for Portugal to be winning at both halftime and fulltime at -125.

That's something that the hosts have managed to do in four of their six Euro 2024 qualification matches to date, though their last match against Slovakia saw them fail to achieve the feat, so be wary.

Portugal vs Slovakia flier bet

  • Pick: Cristiano Ronaldo to score a hat-trick
  • Odds: +900 (BetMGM)

Let's have a proper flier bet this time around, shall we?

With Portugal such overwhelming favourites to win this match, it leaves the goalscorer markets devoid of much value. Therefore, we plumped for a huge outsider: we've gone with Ronaldo to net a hat-trick at +900.

The Portuguese legend is odds on to score in this clash and given his tally of 11 goals in 11 games for Al Nassr this season, he remains in fine form of late. Add to that his outstanding record of 123 goals in 201 international caps and the fact that he's struck before against Slovakia and we think this selection has a reasonable shot.