World Cup 2022: Winner-Takes-All Clash Could Be Sunday Night Sizzler

Portugal vs Serbia

The two nations could hardly be closer with an identical points tally in World Cup 2022 qualifying.

Yes, 2016 European champions Portugal and Serbia are both likely to be at next year’s tournament in Qatar but who will secure their place this weekend?

Lisbon on Sunday night will see Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva & co welcome the Balkan nation with the winners guaranteed a place while the others face a March play-off.

That scenario means World Cup qualifying highlights are likely.

Talking Points

Portugal may remain firm favourites to top Group A – even a draw will be enough for them to win the group on goal difference – yet there was an element of relief in Dublin on Thursday night from where they returned home with a point after being flustered by Stephen Kenny’s bright Irish team, who spent the final 10 minutes pressing for victory after Pepe was sent off for a second bookable offence.

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Serie A

As a result, the veteran defender will be suspended for the visit of Serbia who beat group minnows Azerbaijan in their most recent group outing last month – a night when two goals from striker Dusan Vlahovic underlined their threat.

On Thursday, meanwhile, they warmed up for this crunch game by hammering World Cup hosts Qatar 4-0 with Saša Lukić, Luka Jović, Vlahovic and Sergej Milinković-Savić the marksmen.

We’ve known for a month who the first nations will be in next autumn’s tournament but, over the next few days, the majority of the remaining positions will be settled and, while Serbia are far from pushovers, it will be a surprise if Portugal need a play-off to navigate to reach what may be Ronaldo’s international swansong.

Remember, this is Ronaldo, arguably the greatest footballer the world has ever seen after becoming the all-time leading scorer in international football history two months ago.

It will be very hard to imagine life for the Portuguese national team without their inspirational leader which is why occasions such as Sunday should be treasured for all those who adore the man from Madeira.

He will captain the side which is likely to welcome back Silva who missed out against the Republic of Ireland due to a muscular issue. Ruben Dias, Joao Cancelo and Diogo Jota were unused substitutes and should also return, while Joao Moutinho is pushing to be involved in central midfield.

World Cup 2022: Sasa Lukic scored a simple finish in the 2nd minute of added time vs Qatar — Serbia’s Sasa Lukic celebrates scoring their first goal vs Qatar

For Serbia, Matija Nastastic, Marko Petkovic, Filip Djuricic and Darko Lazovic have all been forced to pull out of the squad through injury, but the visitors have no fresh injury concerns heading into the contest.

To date, Portugal have qualified for all 11 major tournaments this century, winning Euro 2016 against the odds, as well as clinching the UEFA Nations League in 2019.

No wonder the SBOTOP World Cup qualifying betting odds tip them again – although it may be closer than people think.

History

Serbia will be hoping to finally claim a win against Portugal at the eighth attempt.

Both meetings in 2007 – in the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign – ended 1-1.

Tiago and Dejan Stankovic traded goals in Belgrade, while Simao and Branislav Ivanovic did the same in Lisbon.

When they next met in 2015 in qualifying for Euro 2016 – a tournament Portugal would go onto win – Ricardo Carvalho and Fabio Coentrao secured a 2-1 Portugal success. Nemanja Matic netted for Serbia.

Portugal also won the return fixture in Serbia by the same scoreline when Nani and Moutinho scored the goals with Zoran Tosic replying for Serbia.

In qualifying for Euro 2020, the nations drew 1-1 in Lisbon when a Dusan Tadic penalty was cancelled out by Danilo Periera.

The return in Serbia was won 4-2 by the then reigning European champions with William Carvalho, Goncalo Guedes, Ronaldo and Silva on target.

Their most recent meeting, eight months ago, saw the nations share four goals when a double from Jota put Portugal in the box seat before Aleksandar Mitrovic and Filip Kostic restored parity for Serbia.

Betting Tip

	Portugal vs Serbia	Over 2.75 @ 2.06
	November 15, 03:45 (GMT+8)

The hosts can be backed 1X2 @ 1.49 and Asian Handicap -1.25 @ 2.11, with Serbia out as far as 1X2 @ 5.60 and Asian Handicap +1.00 @ 2.05.

Another draw is on offer @ 4.00, while a repeat of the 2-2 scoreline from the spring is available @ 21.00 with the Correct Score options.

I think this will be a tight encounter and I also suspect there will be a few goals in this one too which is why my *** prediction is over 2.75 goal @ 2.06.