Portugal vs Azerbaijan Prediction & Betting Tips - World Cup

Prediction published on 22/03/2021, 08:39  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 22/03/2021 at 10:31 in World Cup Prediction

Not since 1998 have Portugal failed to qualify for the finals of the World Cup. They begin this 2022 qualifying campaign with a home match against Azerbaijan. The other countries in Group A are Serbia, Ireland and Luxembourg. Portugal lost in the last 16 of the last World Cup, being beaten by Uruguay. They will hope to do better than that this time around. The Portuguese side are still European champions but have lost their grip on the Nations League title won in 2019.  Only one of their last ten games have been lost, that was the crucial Nations League match against world champions France. They last a home World Cup qualifier in 2008 and are unbeaten in 16 matches, the last seven all won. In five of those wins, Portugal scored at least three goals and will be expecting to get a few more at home to Azerbaijan.

While Portugal are ranked fifth in the world, their opponents are down in 108th position. They have failed to score in their last five internationals, the last four of which have all ended goalless. Three of those were in their Nations League group against Cyprus, Montenegro and Luxembourg. Azerbaijan avoided relegation to League D thanks to a win over Cyprus. They have lost six of their last seven World Cup qualifiers, the other a 5-1 win over San Marino. Their last three away games in the qualifiers have seen them concede 11 goals. In 29 away games, the only wins have come at Liechtenstein and San Marino. Another defeat looms here, go for Portugal to win on a -3 goals handicap.