Portugal vs Latvia
2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers – Europe, Group B.
Date: Sunday, 13th November 2016.
Kick-off at 19:45 UK
Venue: Venue: Estadio Algarve.
Portugal, currently ranked 8th in the world by FIFA, lost to 14th-ranked Switzerland in their opener in September to start the tournament on the wrong foot. The team managed to string two consecutive victories since then, though, to get back on track.
A Seleção demolished the Faroe Islands, 6-0, during the previous matchday on Oct. 10 in a game held at the Tórsvøllur in Tórshavn to assert their contention for the outright qualifying berth to the 2018 World Cup, via the Mirror.
Porto striker Andre Silva unleashed a hat trick in the 12th, 22nd, and 37th minutes to give head coach Fernando Santos' squad a 3-0 lead at the break, outshining his more illustrious teammate, Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo, in the process.
Ronaldo began the scoring in the second half, though, with a strike in the 65th before teammates Joao Moutinho and Joao Cancelo added a goal each during stoppage time to complete the Portuguese's six-goal haul.
Meanwhile, 116th-ranked Latvia was blanked by Hungary, 0-2, in their own matchday 3 affair at the Skonto Stadium in Riga, as per Sofa Score.
Hungarian winger Adam Gyurcso opened the scoring in the 10th minute of the match with the assist coming from forward Nemanja Nikolic.
Head coach Marians Pahars' team failed to find the equalizer in the first half as they went down 0-1 at the break.
The visitors then doubled their lead in the 77th with a goal from Hoffenheim forward Adam Szalai to seal the game and hand Latvia their second loss in the tourney.
The Red-White-Red is at the fifth spot of the Group B standings at the moment with only one win in three games so far.
Portugal vs Latvia: Head to Head Statistics
Portugal have an excellent record against Latvia in their previous meetings. They have met 4 times previously and Portugal have won all 4 irrespective of the playing ground. Furthermore, Portugal have scored at least 2 goals in each of their games against Latvia. Also, they have kept clean sheets in their last 2 games against Latvia.
Portugal vs Latvia: Prediction
In this game, we expect Latvia to play a high defensive line and try to hold Portugal to a draw. If they can prevent Portugal from scoring early in the game, we are sure the goals will be minimal. However Portugal will make the attacks difficult for Latvia to absorb and just like their Previous two, this might be another goal galore. We are expecting the goal not to be more than 3 considering their previous games. A score line of 2-0 or 3-0 is likely to occur.
Portugal vs Latvia: Betting Tips
Under 3.5 goals at 1.90
Portugal win to nil at 1.47.
