Portugal to automatic World Cup spot
Marco Iacobucci EPP / Shutterstock.com
Portugal could seal a place at next year’s World Cup when they host Switzerland at the Estadio Da Luz in the final qualifier of the campaign.
The European champions will kick-off this clash three points behind group leaders and opponents Switzerland. However, due to the home side’s superior goal difference a victory would see them seal the one automatic qualification spot in the group.
Fernando Santos’ team have a superb recent record in World Cup qualifying, having recorded eight straight wins in the group. The last time the Portuguese failed to win a qualifier was their opening game in the group that ended in Switzerland recording a 2-0 victory.
In fact, the defeat in that group opener is Portugal’s only loss in their last 18 World Cup qualifiers, recording 14 wins in the process.
Portugal also have a very strong home record in World Cup qualifying, as they are unbeaten in their last 15 qualification matches on home soil, while winning their last six home qualifiers.
Switzerland head into this clash with a hundred per cent record in qualifying, as they have won all nine of their qualifiers so far. The Swiss headed into this clash having conceded just five goals in the group, although Portugal have conceded one fewer than the visitors. Vladimir Petkovic’s team have also kept clean sheets in five of their last six qualifiers.
Switzerland have not just been strong in this World Cup qualifying campaign, they have also been strong in previous campaigns, as they are now 27 games unbeaten in qualifying.
The visitor’s away record is also strong in qualifiers, as they are unbeaten in 14 games on their travels, while winning nine of their last ten qualifiers on the road.
This game is massive for both sides and could be a tight one. However, Forebet predicts the home side will record a victory to seal their place at Russia 2018.
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