Luxembourg v Portugal – Betting Preview
Luxembourg Summary
Luxembourg is the big underdogs in this game and the group, but they come into this match with good confidence.
This is the case because they earned a respectable in their UEFA European Championship qualifying campaign, holding Slovakia to a goalless draw.
Luxembourg is ranked 92nd in the current FIFA rankings. They will not expect to beat Portugal, but a draw will be their most realistic goal.
When and if they do fall behind, they will want to keep it close and respectable to build momentum and confidence. So do not expect them to change from a defensive set up at any stage bar perhaps the final ten minutes.
Luxembourg has won once against this opponent but it was back in 1961, losing 17 times and they have drawn once too.
Portugal Summary
The New Portugal manager Roberto Martinez got off to a positive start with a 4-0 win over Liechtenstein.
Portugal is the fancied side in the betting to win the group, and they will want another big win to zero here.
Cristiano Ronaldo netted twice for them in the easy victory last week. The morale and confidence are good in the squad, with a new era nicely underway.
Diogo Jota is expected to miss out with Joao Felix and Rafael Leao on either side of Ronaldo in the 4-3-3 formation.
This will possibly be a trickier game with it being away from home, but it remains a must-win and ideally by a few goals too.
Betting Analysis
Looking at the 1×2 market first. Portugal is the heavy favourite @ 1.16 to win.
Luxembourg is @ 19.0 to win while the draw is @ 7.5.
Moving onto the Asian handicap betting for this contest. Portugal -2 may not win as smoothly as they did last week as this game is on the road. Portugal is @ 1.80 which looks fair.
Looking at The Under/Over goal betting last of all. The line is set at 3, having opened at 3.25.
As with their Liechtenstein game, the number of goals mostly depends on the Portuguese. Over is @ 1.80 and Under is @ 1.99.
