Portugal vs Azerbaijan Predictions & Tips - Portugal to crush Azerbaijan in Italy

Portugal vs Azerbaijan predictions for Wednesday’s FIFA World Cup qualifier
The Group A clash is being played at 7.45pm GMT at Juventus Stadium
Portugal have won by 2+ goals in 5 of their last 6 matches against Azerbaijan
I am backing Portugal to win 4-0 in Italy
Preview, predictions, stats, squads & team news

Portugal last met Azerbaijan in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers (Images)

Mat Marshall 22 Mar 2021

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Portugal vs Azerbaijan Predictions

Portugal are several classes above Azerbaijan. They should have no problems getting their World Cup qualification campaign off to a winning start.

Portugal have won their last 9 matches (World Cup qualifiers).
Portugal have won by 2+ goals in 8 of their last 9 matches (World Cup qualifiers).
Portugal have won to nil in 5 of their last 6 matches (World Cup qualifiers).
Portugal have won by 2+ goals in 5 of their last 6 matches against Azerbaijan (all competitions).
Portugal have won by 3+ goals in 3 of their last 6 matches against Azerbaijan (all competitions).
Portugal have won to nil in 5 of their last 6 matches against Azerbaijan (all competitions).
Azerbaijan have failed to score their last 5 matches in including friendlies (all competitions).
Azerbaijan have lost 6 of their last 7 matches (World Cup qualifiers).

Head to Head

Portugal have a 5-1 advantage against Azerbaijan with one draw in six matches.

They last met in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers. Portugal won 3-0 in Braga and 2-0 in Baku.

Portugal Form

Portugal finished three points behind France in the UEFA Nations League. They won four of their six matches with one draw and one defeat in Group 3, League A.

Fernando Santos’ side lost 1-0 against France in Lisbon that cost them top spot. They created enough chances to get a result, Jose Fonte hitting the woodwork in an even game.

Portugal’s last match was a deserved 3-2 win in Croatia. Rúben Dias scored either side of Joao Felix including the winner in the 90th minute.

Portugal Squad & Team News

Goalkeepers: Anthony Lopes, José Sá, Rui Silva

Defenders: Raphaël Guerreiro, José Fonte, Cédric Soares, Rúben Dias, João Cancelo, Luís Neto, Domingos Duarte, Nuno Mendes

Midfielders: João Moutinho (Vice-captain), Bernardo Silva, Danilo Pereira, Bruno Fernandes, Renato Sanches, Rúben Neves, Sérgio Oliveira, João Palhinha

Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Captain), André Silva, Rafa Silva, João Félix, Diogo Jota, Pedro Neto

Captain Cristiano Ronaldo has 170 caps and 102 goals to his name. He is closing in on being the top international goalscorer of all time.

Goalkeeper Rui Patrício failed to recover in time with José Sá and Rui Silva sitting behind Anthony Lopes in the pecking order. Centre back Pepe withdrew due to injury and was replaced by Luís Neto.

18-year-old left back Nuno Mendes has been called up for the first time alongside midfielder João Palhinha.

Azerbaijan Form

Azerbaijan finished third behind Montenegro and Luxembourg in Group 1, League C in the UEFA Nations League.

They won one of their six matches, 1-0 away to Cyprus. Giovanni De Biasi’s side have failed to score their last five matches in including friendlies.

Azerbaijan’s last two matches were 0-0 draws, at home against Montenegro and in Luxembourg.

Azerbaijan Squad & Team News

Goalkeepers: Emil Balayev, Shahrudin Mahammadaliyev, Mehdi Jannatov

Defenders: Azer Salahli, Shahriyar Aliyev, Maksim Medvedev, Mert Çelik, Elvin Badalov, Badavi Huseynov, Anton Krivotsyuk, Amin Seydiyev, Abbas Huseynov

Midfielders: Gara Garayev, Vugar Mustafayev, Tellur Mutallimov, Joshgun Diniyev, Elvin Jamalov, Vusal Isgandarli, Rahim Sadikhov, Ismayil Ibrahimli, Khayal Najafov

Forwards: Ramil Sheydayev, Mahir Emreli, Anatoliy Nuriyev

Defenders Maksim Medvedev, Badavi Huseynov and midfielder Gara Garayev provide experience.

Every player in the squad play in the Azerbaijan top flight except striker Anatoliy Nuriyev. Nuriyev plays for Mynai in the Ukraine Premier League.

The entire Azerbaijan has squad have 13 international goals between them.