Football Super Picks

Portugal vs Spain Today’s Soccer Prediction

Spain is still unbeaten under the new coach, Julen Lopetegui. He has not revolutionized the team, but the players have regained the melody.
Spain may have the finishing touches most complete crew, where they especially look defensively strong. Portugal may find it difficult to condemn them.
Portugal’s crew seems weak: old middle defense, few profiles, weak André Silva and a Cristiano Ronaldo, who are in decline. (*)
Portugal has felt weak in some test matches, eg against Egypt, Holland and Tunisia. However, it does not add to the universe: only test matches.
A victory here is a big step towards the first place in Group B, and it will probably result in the easiest way to the quarterfinals. (* 2)
Spain has not impressed strongly in the test matches in June, but they showed in March that they can turn the level more thanks, if necessary.
Spain’s rapid play in the offensive can hurt Portugal’s slightly heavy and slow center defense. Isco and David Silva are especially the keys in the show.
Spain may be staring starters at a final round and they are not whipped to triumph here as they pair with the weak group A in a 1/8 final. (* 3)
On the whole, none of the teams – and thus not Spain – are whipped to win. An X is enough to win the group anyway.
Portugal may seem weak on paper, but it was only two years since they won the European Championships, and in the qualification they also convinced (though in a weak pool).
Portugal’s defensive is quite good (both at EM 2016 and World Cup qualifiers), and the Spanish offensive has had minor problems to create chances in the test matches.
Spain is compact and has a creative offensive, but they lack the player who can finish things for them. They are largely missing an obvious nine.
Cristiano Ronaldo remains world-class, even though his skills have changed. During periods of this season, he was more effective than in his career so far.
Portugal is a clever team and in the test match against Belgium they managed to pull all the pace out of the match. Will probably use the same strategy against Spain.

Soccer Prediction of the Day Portugal vs Spain

I have been chewing on this game for a long time. My feeling is that Portugal is a national team that shares the waters. There are those who think they are profane and weak on the paper, and so there are those who think it is “a dangerous tournament team that should not be underestimated” as Torben N. Sørensen writes in one of the many World Championships articles (without having to put words in his mouth). I definitely settle in the first category.
I agree that Portugal and coach Fernando Santos are quite skilled in tournament contexts. I just do not think their playing material is particularly impressive for this tournament.
In that case, Pepe and Jose Fonté can shut down in the defensive, so Cristiano Ronaldo, Goncalo Guedes and whoever have the chance at the front can suffice to fight the opponents.
Basically, I see Spain as one-two levels better than Portugal, and my impression is that the Portuguese are in a weaker constitution than two years ago, and that’s where I see the value in this game: I disagree with parts of) the market in their assessment of Portugal’s strength.

Prediction Today: Spain wins

Odds: 1.25