Portugal vs Wales Preview

Estádio José Alvalade hosts a Nations League Group D opener on Thursday as Portugal look to bounce back from their most recent setback against a Wales side still searching for consistency of their own. Portugal’s last result was a 0-1 home defeat to Spain, ending a run that had otherwise avoided losses but was ultimately the end of their World Cup tournament. Before that defeat, Portugal won 2-1 away at Croatia, and prior to that win a goalless away draw at Colombia interrupted things. Further back, a 5-0 home win over Uzbekistan sat either side of a 1-1 home draw with D.R. Congo. Across these five matches Portugal have taken two wins, two draws and a single loss, with the Spain defeat their only blemish in the sample.

Wales have struggled for results across their last five outings. Most recently they lost 2-1 away at Romania, following a 1-1 away draw with Ghana the game before. Prior to that draw, a 1-1 home draw with Northern Ireland continued a run without a win, and before that a penalty shootout defeat to Bosnia & Herzegovina, drawn 1-1 after extra time before Wales lost the shootout, denied them progression. Further back, a 7-1 away win over North Macedonia stands as Wales’ only victory in the sample. Across these five matches Wales have taken one win, two draws and two losses, without a win in their last four outings.

Portugal have a perfect record in this head-to-head, winning both previous meetings with no draws or losses to Wales at all. The most recent meeting finished 2-0 to Portugal at home in July 2016, following a 3-0 home win for Portugal in June 2000. With Estádio José Alvalade hosting Thursday’s game, Wales are yet to register a win, draw, or even a goal against Portugal across this sample, making Thursday their first real chance to open their account in the fixture.

This is a Nations League group-stage fixture and neither side has played a match in Group D yet, with all four teams currently level on zero points.

Portugal’s Nations League opener against Wales will be shown live in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland on BBC Sport Web, BBC iPlayer and BBC Radio 5 Live, with S4C and S4C Clic also carrying it in Wales. Portuguese viewers can watch on Sport TV1 and RTP 1, while US coverage comes via Fox Soccer Plus, fuboTV, ViX and FOX One.

Possible Lineups

Portugal — Form

Wales — Form

Head-to-Head

Where to Watch

Table

Group D